Proverbs 18
1 For the desire thereof hee will separate himselfe to seeke it, and occupie himselfe in all wisdome.
Ɖokuitɔdila dia eɖokui ko tɔ eye meɖoa to nunyanya siwo gblɔm wole la o.
2 A foole hath no delite in vnderstanding: but that his heart may be discouered.
Bometsila medoa vivi ɖe gɔmesese ŋu o, ke boŋ ekpɔa dzidzɔ le eya ŋutɔ ƒe susuɖegblɔ ŋu.
3 When the wicked commeth, then commeth contempt, and with the vile man reproch.
Ne vɔ̃ɖivɔ̃ɖi va la, vlododo kplɔnɛ ɖo eye ne alɔmeɖeɖe va la, ŋukpe dzea eyome.
4 The words of a mans mouth are like deepe waters, and the welspring of wisdome is like a flowing riuer.
Ame ƒe numenyawo nye tɔ goglo, ke nunya ƒe vudo nye ta si le dzidzim.
5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to cause ye righteous to fall in iudgement.
Menyo be woade ame vɔ̃ɖi dzi alo atrɔ ame maɖifɔ ƒe nya dzɔdzɔe atsyɔ anyi o.
6 A fooles lips come with strife, and his mouth calleth for stripes.
Bometsila ƒe nuyiwo denɛ dzre me eye eƒe nu hea ƒoƒo vaa edzii.
7 A fooles mouth is his owne destruction, and his lips are a snare for his soule.
Nu si bometsila ƒe nu gblɔ la, metso eya ŋutɔ gbɔ o, eye eƒe nuyi nye mɔka na eƒe luʋɔ.
8 The wordes of a tale bearer are as flatterings, and they goe downe into the bowels of the belly.
Amenyagblɔla ƒe nyawo vivina abe nuɖuɖu vivi si woka de nu me la ene; woyina ɖe ame ƒe dɔgbowo me ke.
9 He also that is slouthfull in his worke, is euen the brother of him that is a great waster.
Ame si wɔa alɔgblɔdɔ le eƒe dɔ ŋuti la nye nugblẽla nɔvi.
10 The Name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth vnto it, and is exalted.
Yehowa ƒe ŋkɔ nye mɔ sesẽ, ame dzɔdzɔewo sina yia eme eye wonɔa dedie.
11 The rich mans riches are his strong citie: and as an hie wall in his imagination.
Kesinɔtɔwo ƒe kesinɔnuwo nye woƒe du sesẽ eye wobuna be wonye gli kɔkɔ si ame aɖeke mate ŋu aflɔ o.
12 Before destruction the heart of a man is hautie, and before glory goeth lowlines.
Hafi ame aɖe nadze anyi la, dada nɔa eƒe dzi me, ke ɖokuibɔbɔ doa ŋgɔ na bubu.
13 He that answereth a matter before hee heare it, it is folly and shame vnto him.
Enye bometsitsi kple ŋukpe na ame, be wòaɖo nya ŋu hafi ase nu si gblɔm wole.
14 The spirit of a man will susteine his infirmitie: but a wounded spirit who can beare it?
Ame ƒe gbɔgbɔ lénɛ ɖe te le dɔléle me, ke ame ka ate ŋu atsɔ gbɔgbɔ si gbã gudugudu?
15 A wise heart getteth knowledge, and the eare of the wise seeketh learning.
Sidzela ƒe dzi kpɔa gɔmesese eye nunyala ƒe to dia gɔmesese.
16 A mans gift enlargeth him, and leadeth him before great men.
Nunana ʋua mɔ na nunala eye wòkplɔnɛ gena ɖe amegã la ƒe ŋkumee.
17 He that is first in his owne cause, is iust: then commeth his neighbour, and maketh inquirie of him.
Ame gbãtɔ si to eƒe nya la dzena dzɔdzɔetɔe va se ɖe esime ame aɖe va bia gbee.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and maketh a partition among the mightie.
Nudzidze tsia dzre nu eye wòtsoa nya me na ame sesẽ siwo le dzre wɔm.
19 A brother offended is harder to winne then a strong citie, and their contentions are like the barre of a palace.
Nɔviŋutsu si dzi wodze agɔ le la sẽ wu du si ŋu woɖo gli sesẽ ɖo eye dzrewɔwɔ le abe fiasã si ƒe agbowo ŋu wode gameti sesẽwoe ene.
20 With the fruite of a mans mouth shall his belly be satisfied, and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
Ame ƒe numekutsetse ɖia ƒo nɛ eye nuŋeŋe si doa go tso eƒe nuyiwo me la ana eƒe dzi nadze eme.
21 Death and life are in the power of ye tongue, and they that loue it, shall eate the fruite thereof.
Ku kple agbe ƒe ŋusẽ le aɖe si, eye ame siwo lɔ̃e la aɖu eƒe kutsetse.
22 He that findeth a wife, findeth a good thing, and receiueth fauour of the Lord.
Ame si si srɔ̃nyɔnu su la ke ɖe nu nyui ŋu eye wòxɔa amenuveve tso Yehowa gbɔ.
23 The poore speaketh with prayers: but the rich answereth roughly.
Ame dahe ɖea kuku biaa nublanuikpɔkpɔ, ke kesinɔtɔ ya ɖoa nya ŋu adãtɔe.
24 A man that hath friends, ought to shew him selfe friendly: for a friend is neerer then a brother.
Ame si si xɔlɔ̃ geɖe le la ate ŋu awu nu le gbegblẽ me, gake xɔlɔ̃ aɖe li si kuna ɖe ame ŋu wu dadavi gɔ̃ hã.
