< Proverbs 28 >
1 The wicked run away even when no one is chasing them, but the good have the trusting boldness of lions.
Omumuyɛfoɔ dwane ɛberɛ a obiara ntaa no, nanso teneneefoɔ koko yɛ duru sɛ agyata.
2 When a country is in rebellion, it has many rulers, but a ruler who is wise and knowledgeable provides strength and continuity.
Atuateɛ ɔman nya sodifoɔ pii, nanso onipa a ɔwɔ nhunumu ne nimdeɛ ma mmara yɛ adwuma.
3 When someone poor oppresses the poor, it's like heavy rain that beats down the crops.
Sodifoɔ a ɔhyɛ ahiafoɔ so no te sɛ brampɔnsuo a ɛsɛe mfudeɛ.
4 People who reject the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law fight against them.
Wɔn a wɔpo mmara no kamfo amumuyɛfoɔ, na wɔn a wɔdi mmara so no si wɔn kwan.
5 Evil people understand nothing about justice, but those who follow the Lord understand it completely.
Abɔnefoɔ nte atɛntenenee ase, nanso wɔn a wɔhwehwɛ Awurade no, te aseɛ yie.
6 Better to be poor and have integrity than to be devious and rich.
Ohiani a ne nanteɛ ho nni asɛm yɛ sene ɔdefoɔ a nʼakwan yɛ kɔntɔnkye.
7 If you keep the law, you're a wise son, but if you keep bad company you shame your father.
Deɛ ɔdi mmara so yɛ ɔba a ɔwɔ nhunumu, nanso deɛ ɔne adidibradafoɔ bɔ no gu nʼagya anim ase.
8 Anyone who gets rich through charging interest and profiteering is only storing it up for someone who is kind to the poor.
Deɛ ɔgye mfɛntom mmorosoɔ de nya ne ho no ɔboaboa ano ma deɛ ɔbɛyɛ ahiafoɔ adɔeɛ.
9 God hates the prayers of people who disregard the law.
Sɛ obi nni mmara so a, ne mpaeɛbɔ mpo yɛ akyiwadeɛ.
10 Those who lead good people astray into evil ways will fall into their own traps, but the innocent will receive a good reward.
Deɛ ɔdi teneneefoɔ anim de wɔn fa ɛkwan bɔne so no bɛhwe ɔno ankasa afidie mu, nanso wɔn a wɔn ho nni asɛm no bɛnya agyapadeɛ a ɛyɛ.
11 The rich see themselves as wise, but poor people with insight see right through them.
Ɔdefoɔ tumi yɛ onyansafoɔ wɔ nʼankasa ani so, nanso ohiani a ɔwɔ nhunumu no hunu sɛdeɛ ɔteɛ.
12 When good people win, everyone celebrates, but when the wicked come to power, people hide.
Sɛ teneneefoɔ di nkonim a, nnipa di ahurisie pii; nanso sɛ amumuyɛfoɔ nya tumi a nnipa kɔhinta.
13 People who hide their sins won't succeed, but those who confess and renounce their sins will be shown kindness.
Onipa a ɔkata ne bɔne soɔ no nnya nkɔsoɔ, na deɛ ɔka ne bɔne na ɔgyae yɛ no nya ahummɔborɔ.
14 Blessed are those who always respect the Lord, but those who are stubborn end up in a lot of trouble.
Nhyira nka deɛ ɔsuro Awurade ɛberɛ nyinaa, nanso deɛ ɔpirim nʼakoma no tɔ amaneɛ mu.
15 A wicked ruler lording it over poor people is like a roaring lion or a charging bear.
Omumuyɛfoɔ a ɔdi nnipa a wɔnni mmoa so no te sɛ gyata a ɔbobɔm anaa sisire a nʼani abereɛ.
16 An unwise ruler thoroughly extorts his people, but one who refuses to profit illegally will live long.
Sodifoɔ tirimuɔdenfoɔ nni adwene, na deɛ ɔkyiri mfasoɔ a wɔnam ɛkwan bɔne so nya no bɛnya nkwa tenten.
17 Someone guilty of murder will go on running away from it until they die. Don't try and stop them.
Deɛ awudie ma ne tiboa bu no fɔ no, ɔbɛyɛ ɔkobɔfoɔ akɔsi ne wu da; mma obiara mmɔ ne ho ban.
18 If you have integrity, you'll be kept safe, but if you live deviously, you'll fall.
Deɛ ne nanteɛ ho nni asɛm no, wɔgye no firi ɔhaw mu, nanso deɛ nʼakwan yɛ kɔntɔnkye no bɛhwe ase mpofirim.
19 If you cultivate the land you'll have plenty of food, but if you chase fantasies you'll end up with nothing.
Deɛ ɔyɛ nʼasase so adwuma no bɛnya aduane pii, nanso deɛ ɔdwene nneɛma hunu ho no bɛnya ne so ne ne hia.
20 If you're trustworthy, you'll be richly rewarded; but if you try to get rich quick, you won't go unpunished.
Wɔbɛhyira onipa nokwafoɔ pii, na deɛ ɔpere pɛ ahonyadeɛ no remfa ne ho nni.
21 Showing favoritism isn't good, but some people will do wrong just for a piece of bread.
Animhwɛ nyɛ, nanso aduane kakra enti nnipa yɛ bɔne.
22 Envious people are in a rush to get rich; they don't realize they'll end up poor.
Deɛ ɔyɛ pɛpɛɛ pere sɛ ɔbɛyɛ ɔdefoɔ na ɔnnim sɛ ohia retwɛn no.
23 Honest criticism is appreciated later far more than flattery.
Deɛ ɔka obi anim no bɛsɔ nnipa ani akyire asene deɛ ɔwɔ tɛkrɛmadɛ.
24 A man who robs his father and mother, and says, “It's not a crime,” is one step away from becoming a murderer.
Deɛ ɔbɔ nʼagya anaa ne maame korɔno na ɔka sɛ, “Ɛnyɛ bɔne” no, ɔne ɔsɛefoɔ na ɛbɔ.
25 Greedy people stir up trouble, but those who trust in the Lord will be successful.
Ɔdifodepɛfoɔ de mpaapaemu ba na deɛ ɔde ne ho to Awurade so no bɛnya nkɔsoɔ.
26 People who trust their own minds are foolish, but those who follow wise ways will be kept safe.
Deɛ ɔgye ne ho die no yɛ ɔkwasea, na deɛ ɔnante nyansa mu no wɔbɛgye no.
27 If you give to the poor, you won't be in need; but if you look the other way, you'll have many curses.
Deɛ ɔma ahiafoɔ no, hwee renhia no, nanso deɛ ɔbu nʼani gu wɔn so no nya nnome pii.
28 When the wicked come to power, people hide; but when they fall, the good do well.
Sɛ amumuyɛfoɔ nya tumi a, nnipa kɔhinta; na sɛ amumuyɛfoɔ ase tɔre a, teneneefoɔ ase dɔre.