Proverbs 9
1 Wisdom has built a house for herself, and set up seven pillars.
Nyansa asi ne fi; wasisi nʼafadum ason.
2 She has killed her beasts; she has mingled her wine in a bowl, and prepared her table.
Wasiesie ne nam de afra ne nsa, wato ne pon.
3 She has sent forth her servants, calling with a loud proclamation to the feast, saying,
Wasoma ne mmaawa, na ɔfrɛ fi kuropɔn no sorɔnsorɔmmea hɔ se,
4 Whoso is foolish, let him turn aside to me: and to them that want understanding she says,
“Momma ntetekwaafo nyinaa mmra ha!” Ɔka kyerɛ wɔn a wonni atemmu se,
5 Come, eat of my bread, and drink wine which I have mingled for you.
“Mommra mmedi mʼaduan na monnom nsa a mafra no.
6 Leave folly, that ye may reign for ever; and seek wisdom, and improve understanding by knowledge.
Munnyaw mo ntetekwaasɛm no na mubenya nkwa; monnantew ntease akwan so.”
7 He that reproves evil [men] shall get dishonour to himself; and he that rebukes an ungodly [man] shall disgrace himself.
Nea ɔteɛteɛ ɔfɛwdifo no frɛ ahohorabɔ; na nea ɔka amumɔyɛfo anim no nya ɔyaw.
8 Rebuke not evil [men], lest they should hate thee: rebuke a wise [man], and he will love thee.
Ɛno nti, nka ɔfɛwdifo anim na ɔmmɛtan wo; ka onyansafo anim na ɔbɛdɔ wo.
9 Give an opportunity to a wise [man], and he will be wiser: instruct a just man, and he will receive more [instruction].
Ma onyansafo akwankyerɛ na ɔbɛkɔ so ahu nyansa; kyerɛkyerɛ ɔtreneeni na ɔde bɛka nʼadesua ho.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the counsel of saints is understanding: for to know the law is [the character] of a sound mind.
Awurade suro yɛ nyansa mfiase Ɔkronkronni no ho nimdeɛ yɛ ntease.
11 For in this way thou shalt live long, and years of thy life shall be added to thee.
Me mu na wo nna bɛdɔɔso, na wɔde mfe bɛka wo nkwa ho.
12 Son, if thou be wise for thyself, thou shalt also be wise for thy neighbours; and if thou shouldest prove wicked, thou alone wilt bear the evil. He that stays himself upon falsehoods, attempts to rule the winds, and the same will pursue birds in their fight: for he has forsaken the ways of his own vineyard, and he has caused the axles of his own husbandry to go astray; and he goes through a dry desert, and a [land] appointed to drought, and he gathers barrenness with his hands.
Sɛ woyɛ onyansafo a, wubenya wo nyansa so mfaso; sɛ woyɛ ɔfɛwdifo a, wo nko ara na wubehu amane.
13 A foolish and bold woman, who knows not modesty, comes to want a morsel.
Ɔbea ɔkwasea yɛ ɔkasafo; onni ahohyɛso na onni nimdeɛ.
14 She sits at the doors of her house, on a seat openly in the streets,
Ɔte ne fi pon ano, na ɔte akongua a esi kuropɔn no sorɔnsorɔmmea,
15 calling to passers by, and to those that are going right on their ways;
na ɔfrɛfrɛ wɔn a wotwa mu wɔ hɔ, wɔn a wɔnam wɔn kwan so tee se,
16 [saying], Whoso is most senseless of you, let him turn aside to me; and I exhort those that want prudence, saying,
“Momma ntetekwaafo nyinaa mmra ha” ɔka kyerɛ wɔn a wonni atemmu se,
17 Take and enjoy secret bread, and the sweet water of theft.
“Nsu a wowia no yɛ fremfrem na aduan a wodi no ahintawee no yɛ dɛ!”
