Proverbs 3
1 My son, don't forget my instructions. Always keep my commands in mind.
Vinye, mègaŋlɔ nye nufiame be o, eye nàlé nye sededewo ɖe wò dzi me,
2 Then you will live a long time, and have a full life.
elabena woadidi wò agbenɔƒewo ɖe edzi ƒe geɖe, eye woahe dzidzedzekpɔkpɔ vɛ na wò.
3 Hold on to kindness and truth. Tie them around your neck; write them in your mind.
Lɔlɔ̃ kple nuteƒewɔwɔ megate ɖa le gbɔwò gbeɖe o, tsɔ wo de kɔ eye nàŋlɔ wo ɖe wò dzi ƒe nuŋlɔkpe dzi.
4 That way you'll gain a good reputation and be appreciated by both God and people.
Ekema àkpɔ amenuveve kple ŋkɔ nyui le Mawu kple amewo ŋkume.
5 Put your trust totally in the Lord—don't rely on what you think you know!
Ɖo ŋu ɖe Yehowa ŋu kple wò dzi blibo, mègaku ɖe wò ŋutɔ wò nugɔmesese ŋu o;
6 Remember him in everything you do, and he'll show you the right way.
ɖo ŋu ɖe eŋu le wò mɔwo katã dzi ekema awɔ wò toƒewo dzɔdzɔe.
7 Don't think you're wise—respect God and avoid evil.
Mèganye nunyala le wò ŋutɔ wò ŋkume o, ke boŋ vɔ̃ Yehowa eye nàtsri vɔ̃.
8 Then you will have healed and be made strong.
Esia ahe dɔyɔyɔ vɛ na wò ŋutilã kple nunyiame vɛ na wò ƒuwo.
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all the crops you grow.
De bubu Yehowa ŋu kple wò kesinɔnuwo kple wò agblemenukuwo ƒe ŋgɔgbetɔwo,
10 Then your barns will be filled with produce, and your vats will overflow with new wine.
ekema wò avawo ayɔ agbagba, eye wain yeye ayɔ wò ahazewo agbagba.
11 My son, don't reject the Lord's discipline or resent it when he corrects you,
Vinye, mègado vlo Yehowa ƒe amehehe o eye mègagbe eƒe mokaname o
12 for the Lord corrects those he loves, as a father corrects a son who pleases him.
elabena Yehowa ɖɔa ame siwo wòlɔ̃ la ɖo abe ale si fofo wɔna na vi si ƒe nu dzea eŋu la ene.
13 Happy are those who find wisdom and gain understanding,
Woayra ame si ke ɖe nunya ŋu kple ame si si gɔmesese su
14 for wisdom is worth more than silver, and pays better than gold.
elabena nunya xɔ asi wu klosalo eye viɖe geɖe le eme wu sika.
15 She is more valuable than rubies—everything you could ever want just doesn't compare!
Asixɔxɔ le eŋu wu adzagba eye nu siwo katã dim nèle la, ɖeke mesɔ kplii o.
16 She offers long life in one hand, and riches and honor in the other.
Agbe didi le eƒe ɖusi ƒe asi me, eye kesinɔnuwo kple bubu le eƒe miasi ƒe asi me.
17 She brings true happiness, and leads to peaceful prosperity.
Eƒe mɔwo nye mɔ siwo dzi vivi le eye ŋutifafa le eƒe toƒewo katã.
18 Wisdom is a tree of life to everyone who embraces her, blessing those who accept her.
Enye agbeti na ame siwo xɔ eya amea eye ame siwo ƒe asi su edzi la woayra wo.
19 It was through wisdom that the Lord created the earth, and through understanding he set the heavens in place.
Nunyae Yehowa tsɔ ɖo anyigba la ƒe gɔmeɖokpe anyii eye wòtsɔ gɔmesese ɖo dziƒowo ɖe wo teƒe.
20 It was through his knowledge the waters of the deep were broken open, and the clouds sent down the dew.
Etsɔ eƒe nunya ma gogloƒewoe eye lilikpowo dzaa zãmu.
21 My son, hold on to good judgment and wise decisions—don't let them out of your sight,
Vinye, lé afia nyui tsotso kple sidzedze me ɖe asi, mègana woadzo le ŋkuwòme o.
22 for they will be life to you, and an ornament for your neck.
Woanye agbe na wò kple kɔga aɖo atsyɔ̃ na wò kɔ.
23 You will be able to walk confidently on your way, and you won't trip up.
Ekema àlé wò mɔ atsɔ le dedinɔnɔ me eye wò afɔ maɖiɖi o.
24 When you rest, you won't be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
Ne èmlɔ anyi la, màvɔ̃ o, ne èmlɔ anyi la, àdɔ alɔ̃ vivi.
25 You won't be afraid of a sudden panic, or of disasters that hit the wicked,
Mègavɔ̃ ŋɔdzi si ava kpoyi alo gbegblẽ si vaa ame vɔ̃ɖiwo dzi o
26 for the Lord will be the one you can trust in, and he will prevent you being caught in a trap.
elabena Yehowa anye wò dzideƒo eye mana wò afɔ naɖo mɔ me o.
27 Don't hold back good from those who deserve it when it's something you have the power to do.
Mègagbe nyuiwɔwɔ na ame siwo dze nɛ, ne ele wò ŋusẽ me be nàwɔe o.
28 Don't tell your neighbor, “Go away. Come back tomorrow and then I'll give it to you,” when you've already got it.
Mègagblɔ na wò aƒelika be, “Yi nàtrɔ va, etsɔ matsɔe na wò” esi wòle asiwò fifia o.
29 Don't plan to harm your neighbor who lives nearby and trusts you.
Mègaɖo vɔ̃ ɖe wò aƒelika, ame si le gbɔwò le anukwareɖiɖi me la ŋu o.
30 Don't quarrel with anybody for no reason, when they haven't done anything to hurt you.
Mègatsɔ nya ɖe ame aɖeke ŋu dzodzro esi mewɔ vɔ̃ aɖeke ɖe ŋuwò o.
31 Don't be jealous of violent people—don't choose to follow their example!
Mègabiã ŋu ŋutsu nu sesẽ wɔla alo azɔ le eƒe mɔ aɖeke dzi o,
32 For the Lord hates deceitful people, but he is a friend to those who do what is good.
elabena Yehowa nyɔa ŋu ŋutsu nu tovo wɔla gake elɔ̃a ame siwo wɔa nu dzɔdzɔe.
33 The houses of the wicked are cursed by the Lord, but he blesses the homes of those who live right.
Yehowa ƒe fiƒode le ame vɔ̃ɖiwo ƒe aƒe dzi, ke eyrana ɖe ame dzɔdzɔewo ƒe aƒe dzi.
34 He mocks those who mock, but he is kind to the humble.
Yehowa ɖua fewu le dadala fewuɖulawo ŋu, ke evea ame siwo bɔbɔa wo ɖokui la nu.
35 The wise will receive honor, but fools are held up in disgrace.
Nunyalawo nyia bubu ƒe dome, ke bometsilawo la, etsɔa wo dea asi na ŋukpe.
