Proverbs 3
1 My son, don't forget my instructions. Always keep my commands in mind.
Me ba, mma wo werɛ mfi me nkyerɛkyerɛ, kora me mmara wɔ wo koma mu,
2 Then you will live a long time, and have a full life.
na ɛbɛma wo nkwa aware, mfe bebree na ɛde yiyedi abrɛ wo.
3 Hold on to kindness and truth. Tie them around your neck; write them in your mind.
Mma adɔe ne nokware mmfi wo nkyɛn fa yan wo kɔn mu kyerɛw gu wo koma pon so.
4 That way you'll gain a good reputation and be appreciated by both God and people.
Na wubenya adom ne din pa wɔ Onyankopɔn ne nnipa anim.
5 Put your trust totally in the Lord—don't rely on what you think you know!
Fa wo koma nyinaa to Awurade so, na mfa wo ho nto wʼankasa ntease so;
6 Remember him in everything you do, and he'll show you the right way.
hu no wʼakwan nyinaa mu, na ɔbɛteɛ wʼakwan.
7 Don't think you're wise—respect God and avoid evil.
Nnye wo ho nni sɛ woyɛ onyansafo; suro Awurade na kyi bɔne.
8 Then you will have healed and be made strong.
Ɛde ahoɔden bɛbrɛ wo nipadua, na ayɛ aduan ama wo nnompe.
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all the crops you grow.
Fa wʼahonya hyɛ Awurade anuonyam, ne wo nnɔbae a edi kan nyinaa;
10 Then your barns will be filled with produce, and your vats will overflow with new wine.
na ɛno na ɛbɛma wo pata ayɛ ma abu so, na nsa foforo abu afa wʼahina so.
11 My son, don't reject the Lord's discipline or resent it when he corrects you,
Me ba, sɛ Awurade teɛ wo so a, tie no yiye, na mmu nʼanimka so,
12 for the Lord corrects those he loves, as a father corrects a son who pleases him.
Efisɛ, obiara a Awurade pɛ nʼasɛm no, ɔtwe nʼaso, sɛnea agya teɛ ɔba a ɔdɔ no no.
13 Happy are those who find wisdom and gain understanding,
Nhyira nka onipa a ohu nyansa, onipa a onya ntease,
14 for wisdom is worth more than silver, and pays better than gold.
efisɛ, nimdeɛ so mfaso sen dwetɛ, na nea efi mu ba sen sikakɔkɔɔ.
15 She is more valuable than rubies—everything you could ever want just doesn't compare!
Ne bo yɛ den sen bota; na worentumi mfa wʼapɛde biara ntoto no ho.
16 She offers long life in one hand, and riches and honor in the other.
Nkwa tenten wɔ ne nsa nifa mu; ahonyade ne anuonyam wɔ ne nsa benkum mu.
17 She brings true happiness, and leads to peaceful prosperity.
Nʼakwan yɛ ahomeka, na nʼanammɔnkwan nyinaa yɛ asomdwoe.
18 Wisdom is a tree of life to everyone who embraces her, blessing those who accept her.
Ɔyɛ nkwadua ma wɔn a woso ne mu; wɔn a wokura no mu no benya nhyira.
19 It was through wisdom that the Lord created the earth, and through understanding he set the heavens in place.
Nyansa mu na Awurade yɛɛ asase fapem, na ntease mu na ɔde ɔsoro tim hɔ.
20 It was through his knowledge the waters of the deep were broken open, and the clouds sent down the dew.
Efi ne nimdeɛ mu na ɔkyekyɛɛ ebun mu, na omununkum nso tɔɔ obosu.
21 My son, hold on to good judgment and wise decisions—don't let them out of your sight,
Me ba, fa atemmu pa ne nhumu sie, na mma emfi wʼani so;
22 for they will be life to you, and an ornament for your neck.
ɛbɛyɛ nkwa ama wo, nnwinne a ɛma wo kɔn anuonyam wie pɛyɛ.
23 You will be able to walk confidently on your way, and you won't trip up.
Afei wo kwan so bɛyɛ wo dwoodwoo, na wo nan renhintiw;
24 When you rest, you won't be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
sɛ woda a worensuro; sɛ woda a wʼani bekum.
25 You won't be afraid of a sudden panic, or of disasters that hit the wicked,
Nsuro mpofirim amanehunu anaa ɔsɛe a ɛba amumɔyɛfo so,
26 for the Lord will be the one you can trust in, and he will prevent you being caught in a trap.
efisɛ Awurade bɛwɔ wʼafa na ɔbɛkora wo nan afi afiri mu.
27 Don't hold back good from those who deserve it when it's something you have the power to do.
Mfa ade pa nkame wɔn a wɔfata, bere a tumi wɔ wo nsam.
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.
Nka nkyerɛ wo yɔnko se: “Kɔ na bra; mede bɛma wo ɔkyena” wɔ bere a wowɔ no saa bere no.
29 Don't plan to harm your neighbor who lives nearby and trusts you.
Mpam ɔhaw mma wo yɔnko bere a ɔne wo te yiye.
30 Don't quarrel with anybody for no reason, when they haven't done anything to hurt you.
Mmɔ obi sobo kwa bere a ɔnyɛɛ wo bɔne biara ɛ.
31 Don't be jealous of violent people—don't choose to follow their example!
Mma wʼani mmere basabasayɛfo, na mfa nʼakwan no mu biara,
32 For the Lord hates deceitful people, but he is a friend to those who do what is good.
efisɛ Awurade kyi basabasayɛfo na ɔde ne werɛ hyɛ ɔtreneeni mu.
33 The houses of the wicked are cursed by the Lord, but he blesses the homes of those who live right.
Awurade nnome wɔ omumɔyɛfo fi so, na ohyira ɔtreneeni fi.
34 He mocks those who mock, but he is kind to the humble.
Odi fɛwdifo a wɔyɛ ahantan no ho fɛw, na ɔdom ahobrɛasefo ne wɔn a wɔhyɛ wɔn so no.
35 The wise will receive honor, but fools are held up in disgrace.
Anyansafo benya anuonyam adi, nanso nkwaseafo de, ɔma wɔn anim gu ase.
