Proverbs 22
1 A good reputation is a much better choice than plenty of money; respect is better than silver and gold.
Din pa ye sen ahonya bebrebe; sɛ wobedi wo ni ye sen dwetɛ anaa sikakɔkɔɔ.
2 The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord created them all.
Ɔdefo ne ohiani wɔ ade baako, Awurade ne wɔn nyinaa Yɛfo.
3 If you're sensible you see danger coming and get out of the way; but stupid people just keep going and pay for it.
Onitefo hu amanehunu a ɛreba na ohintaw ne ho, nanso atetekwaa kɔ nʼanim konya amane.
4 The reward you receive for being humble and respecting the Lord is wealth, honor, and life.
Ahobrɛase ne Awuradesuro ɛma ahonya ne anuonyam ne nkwa.
5 Thorns and traps lie in the path of crooked people; those who value their lives will stay away from them.
Nsɔe ne mfiri wɔ amumɔyɛfo akwan so, nanso nea ɔbɔ ne kra ho ban no mmɛn ho.
6 Teach children the right way to live, and when they grow up they'll go on doing so.
Kyerɛ abofra ɔkwan a ɔmfa so, na sɛ onyin a ɔremfi so.
7 The rich rule the poor, and borrowers are slaves to their lenders.
Adefo di ahiafo so, na boseagyefo yɛ nea ɔde fɛm somfo.
8 Those who sow injustice will reap disaster, and the angry beatings they inflict on others will be stopped.
Nea odua amumɔyɛsɛm no twa ɔhaw na wɔbɛsɛe nʼabufuwhyew abaa.
9 If you're generous, you'll be blessed, for you share your food with those in need.
Ɔyamyefo benya nhyira efisɛ ɔne ahiafo kyɛ nʼaduan.
10 Get rid of the scornful, and you'll get rid of conflict too—no more arguments or insults!
Pam ɔfɛwdifo na basabasayɛ nso bɛkɔ; ntɔkwaw ne animka to atwa.
11 Anyone who loves sincerity and a gracious way of speaking will have the king as their friend.
Obi a ɔdɔ koma a mu tew na ne kasa ho yɛ nyam no, benya ɔhene afa no adamfo.
12 The Lord watches over true knowledge, but counteracts the words of liars.
Awurade ani wɛn nimdeɛ, na ɔsɛe ɔtorofo nsɛm.
13 Lazy people make claims like, “There's a lion outside! I might be killed if I go out there!”
Ɔkwadwofo ka se, “Gyata bi wɔ mfikyiri hɔ!” anaasɛ, “Wobekum me wɔ mmɔnten so.”
14 The seductive words of an immoral woman are a dangerous trap—if the Lord's angry with you, then you'll fall right in.
Ɔbea waresɛefo anom yɛ amoa donkudonku; nea ɔhyɛ Awurade abufuw ase no bɛtɔ mu.
15 Children are naturally foolish; physical correction helps them to see sense.
Agyimisɛm kyekyere abofra koma ho, nanso nteɛso abaa bɛpam no akɔ akyiri.
16 If you oppress the poor to make yourself rich, or if you're generous to the rich, you'll end up poor yourself.
Obi besisi ohiani de apɛ ahonya, anaa ɔbɛkyɛ ɔdefo ade, ne nyinaa de no kɔ ohia mu.
17 Pay attention and listen to the words of the wise, and think carefully about my teachings—
Yɛ aso na tie anyansasɛm yi; fa wo koma di me nkyerɛkyerɛ akyi,
18 for it's good to keep them in mind so you can be ready to share them.
efisɛ eye sɛ wokora saa nsɛm yi wɔ wo koma mu, na ne nyinaa ada wʼano.
19 I'm explaining this to you today so you can trust in the Lord—yes, you!
Sɛ ɛbɛyɛ a wode wo ho bɛto Awurade so, merekyerɛkyerɛ wo nnɛ, yiw ɛyɛ wo.
20 Haven't I written down for you thirty sayings of advice and wisdom?
Menkyerɛw mmɛ aduasa mmaa wo, nea ɛyɛ afotusɛm ne nimdeɛ,
21 They are to make it clear to you what's right and true, so you can give a truthful explanation to those who sent you.
a ɛkyerɛkyerɛ wo nokware ne nea akyinnye nni ho, sɛnea wubenya mmuae pa ama nea ɔsomaa wo no ana?
22 For you shouldn't steal from the poor just because they're poor; and you shouldn't crush those with limited means in court,
Mmɔ ahiafo korɔn, sɛ wɔyɛ ahiafo nti, na nsisi wɔn a wonni bi wɔ asennii,
23 for the Lord will plead their case, and he will take back whatever was stolen from them.
efisɛ Awurade bedi wɔn asɛm ama wɔn, na wafom afa wɔn a wɔfom ahiafo fa.
24 Don't make friends with someone who gets upset easily; don't associate with angry people,
Mfa obi a ne koma yɛ den no adamfo, na mfa wo ho mmɔ nea ne bo nkyɛ fuw,
25 in case you learn to be like them and make a mess of your life.
anyɛ saa a, wubesua nʼakwan na woakɔtɔ afiri mu.
26 Don't shake hands and guarantee someone's debt,
Nyɛ nea ɔde ne nsa hyɛ krataa ase di akagyinamu anaasɛ odi akagyinamu;
27 for if you can't pay, why should your bed be taken away from beneath you?
na sɛ wunni nea wɔde tua a wobehuam wo mpa mpo afi wʼase.
28 Don't move ancient boundary markers that your forefathers put in place.
Ntutu tete abo a wɔde ato hye, nea wo nenanom de sisii hɔ no.
29 If you see someone skilled in what they do, they'll work for kings and not for ordinary people.
Wuhu obi a ne nsa akokwaw nʼadwuma ho ana? Ahemfo anim na ɔbɛsom, na ɔrensom wɔ mpapahwekwa anim.
