Proverbs 3
1 My son, don't forget my instructions. Always keep my commands in mind.
Me ba, mma wo werɛ mfiri me nkyerɛkyerɛ, kora me mmara yi wɔ wʼakoma mu,
2 Then you will live a long time, and have a full life.
na ɛbɛma wo nkwa aware, mfeɛ bebree na ɛde yiedie abrɛ wo.
3 Hold on to kindness and truth. Tie them around your neck; write them in your mind.
Mma adɔeɛ ne nokorɛ mfiri wo nkyɛn fa yane wo kɔn mu twerɛ gu wʼakoma ɛpono so.
4 That way you'll gain a good reputation and be appreciated by both God and people.
Na wobɛnya 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 wʼakoma nyinaa to Awurade so na mmfa wo ho nto wʼankasa nteaseɛ so;
6 Remember him in everything you do, and he'll show you the right way.
hunu no wʼakwan nyinaa mu, na ɔbɛtene wʼakwan.
7 Don't think you're wise—respect God and avoid evil.
Nnye wo ho nni sɛ woyɛ onyansafoɔ suro Awurade na kyiri bɔne.
8 Then you will have healed and be made strong.
Ɛde ahoɔden bɛbrɛ wo onipadua na ayɛ aduane ama wo nnompe.
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all the crops you grow.
Fa wʼahonya hyɛ Awurade animuonyam, ne wo nnɔbaeɛ a ɛdi ɛkan 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 nsã foforɔ abu afa wʼankorɛ so
11 My son, don't reject the Lord's discipline or resent it when he corrects you,
Me ba, sɛ Awurade tene wo so a, tie no yie, na sɛ ɔka wʼanim a, mpa aba,
12 for the Lord corrects those he loves, as a father corrects a son who pleases him.
Ɛfiri sɛ, obiara a Awurade pɛ nʼasɛm no, ɔtwe nʼaso, sɛdeɛ agya tene ɔba a ɔdɔ no so no.
13 Happy are those who find wisdom and gain understanding,
Nhyira nka onipa a ɔhunu nyansa, onipa a ɔnya nteaseɛ,
14 for wisdom is worth more than silver, and pays better than gold.
ɛfiri sɛ, nimdeɛ ho mfasoɔ sene dwetɛ, na deɛ ɛfiri mu ba sene sikakɔkɔɔ.
15 She is more valuable than rubies—everything you could ever want just doesn't compare!
Ne boɔ yɛ dene sene bota; na worentumi mfa wʼapɛdeɛ biara ntoto ho.
16 She offers long life in one hand, and riches and honor in the other.
Nkwa tenten wɔ ne nsa nifa mu; ahonyadeɛ ne animuonyam wɔ ne nsa benkum mu.
17 She brings true happiness, and leads to peaceful prosperity.
Nʼakwan yɛ ahomeka, na nʼasa nyinaa yɛ asomdwoeɛ.
18 Wisdom is a tree of life to everyone who embraces her, blessing those who accept her.
Ɔyɛ nkwa dua ma wɔn a wɔsɔ ne mu; wɔn a wɔkura ne mu no bɛnya 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 nteaseɛ mu na ɔde ɔsoro timii hɔ.
20 It was through his knowledge the waters of the deep were broken open, and the clouds sent down the dew.
Ɛfiri ne nimdeɛ mu na ɔkyekyɛɛ ebunu mu, na omununkum nso tɔɔ bosuo.
21 My son, hold on to good judgment and wise decisions—don't let them out of your sight,
Me ba, fa atemmuo pa ne nhunumu sie, na mma ɛmfiri wʼani so;
22 for they will be life to you, and an ornament for your neck.
ɛbɛyɛ nkwa ama wo, ahyehyɛdeɛ a ɛma wɔ kɔn nya animuonyam.
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 rensunti;
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 bɛkum.
25 You won't be afraid of a sudden panic, or of disasters that hit the wicked,
Nsuro mpofirim amanehunu anaa ɔsɛeɛ a ɛba amumuyɛfoɔ so,
26 for the Lord will be the one you can trust in, and he will prevent you being caught in a trap.
Ɛfiri sɛ, Awurade bɛyɛ wʼawerɛhyɛm na ɔbɛkora wo nan afiri afidie 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, ɛberɛ 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 sɛ: “Kɔ na bra; mede bɛma wo ɔkyena” wɔ ɛberɛ a wowɔ no saa ɛberɛ no.
29 Don't plan to harm your neighbor who lives nearby and trusts you.
Mpam ɔhaw mma wo yɔnko ɛberɛ a ɔne wo te yie.
30 Don't quarrel with anybody for no reason, when they haven't done anything to hurt you.
Mfa ɛso nto obi so kwa ɛberɛ a ɔnyɛɛ wo bɔne biara.
31 Don't be jealous of violent people—don't choose to follow their example!
Mma wʼani mmere basabasayɛfoɔ, 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.
ɛfiri sɛ Awurade kyiri basabasayɛfoɔ na ɔde ne werɛ hyɛ ɔteneneeni 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 omumuyɛfoɔ efie so, na ɔhyira ɔteneneeni fie.
34 He mocks those who mock, but he is kind to the humble.
Ɔdi fɛdifoɔ a wɔyɛ ahantan ho fɛ na ɔdom ahobrɛasefoɔ.
35 The wise will receive honor, but fools are held up in disgrace.
Anyansafoɔ bɛnya animuonyam adi, nanso nkwaseafoɔ deɛ, ɔma wɔn anim gu ase.
