Proverbs 18
1 A man who wishes to separate from friends seeks excuses; but at all times he will be liable to reproach.
Ɔhonamkani yɛ pɛsɛmenkominya; na nea ɛmfa atɛntrenee mma no turuw ɔham.
2 A senseless man feels no need of wisdom, for he is rather led by folly.
Ɔkwasea nni nhumu ho anigye, na mmom nea ɔpɛ ara ne sɛ ɔde nʼadwene bɛto gua.
3 When an ungodly man comes into a depth of evils, he despises [them]; but dishonor and reproach come upon him.
Sɛ amumɔyɛsɛm ba a animtiaabu di so, na aniwu nso di animguase akyi.
4 A word in the heart of a man is a deep water, and a river and fountain of life spring forth.
Onipa anom nsɛm yɛ nsu a emu dɔ, na nyansa asuti yɛ asuwa a ɛrefi ahuru.
5 [It is] not good to accept the person of the ungodly, nor [is it] holy to pervert justice in judgment.
Enye sɛ wodi ma omumɔyɛfo anaasɛ wobu nea odi bem ntɛnkyew.
6 The lips of a fool bring [him] into troubles, and his bold mouth calls for death.
Nkwaseafo ano de akasakasa ba, na wɔn ano frɛfrɛ ɔhwe.
7 A fool's mouth is ruin to him, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
Nkwaseafo ano yɛ wɔn ara wɔn sɛe, na wɔn anofafa yɛ wɔn ara wɔn kra afiri.
8 Fear casts down the slothful; and the souls of the effeminate shall hunger.
Osekuni ano asɛm te sɛ aduan a ɛyɛ dɛ; ɛhyɛnhyɛn onipa akwaa mu nyinaa.
9 A man who helps not himself by his labor is brother of him that ruins himself.
Nea ɔtoto nʼadwuma ase no yɛ ɔsɛefo nuabarima.
10 The name of the Lord is of great strength; and the righteous running to it are exalted.
Awurade din yɛ abantenten a ɛyɛ den; ahotefo guan kɔtoa na wonya bammɔ.
11 The wealth of a rich man is a strong city; and its glory casts a broad shadow.
Adefo ahonyade ne wɔn kuropɔn a wɔabɔ ho ban wɔfa no sɛ ɔfasu tenten a wontumi mforo.
12 Before ruin a man's heart is exalted, and before honor it is humble.
Ansa na onipa bɛhwe ase no onya ahomaso koma, na ahobrɛase di anuonyam anim.
13 Whoso answers a word before he hears [a cause], it is folly and reproach to him.
Nea ontie asɛm ansa na wama mmuae no, ɛno ne ne gyimi ne nʼanimguase.
14 A wise servant calms a man's anger; but who can endure a faint-hearted man?
Onipa honhom na ɛhyɛ no den wɔ ɔyare mu na honhom a abotow de, hena na ɔpɛ?
15 The heart of the sensible [man] purchases discretion; and the ears of the wise seek understanding.
Nhumu koma nya nimdeɛ; na anyansafo aso nso hwehwɛ.
16 A man's gift enlarges him, and seats him among princes.
Akyɛde bue kwan ma nea ɔde ma na ɛde no ba atitiriw anim.
17 A righteous man accuses himself at the beginning of his speech, but when he has entered upon the attack, the adversary is reproved.
Ɛyɛ nea ɔbɔ ne nkuro kan no sɛ nʼasɛm yɛ dɛ, kosi sɛ ɔfoforo bɛba abebisa no nsɛm no mu.
18 A silent [man] quells strifes, and determines between great powers.
Ntontobɔ twa akyinnyegye so, na ɛpata atamfo.
19 A brother helped by a brother is as a strong and high city; and is [as] strong as a [well]-founded palace.
Onua a wɔafom no no asɛm yɛ den sen kuropɔn a ɛwɔ bammɔ, akyinnyegye te sɛ abankɛse apon a wɔabram akyi.
20 A man fills his belly with the fruits of his mouth; and he shall be satisfied with the fruits of his lips.
Onipa anom asɛm so aba ma ɔyafunu mee, nnɔbae a nʼanofafa twa no mee no.
21 Life and death are in the power of the tongue; and they that rule it shall eat the fruits thereof.
Tɛkrɛma kura nkwa ne owu tumi, na wɔn a wɔdɔ no no bedi nʼaba.
22 He that has found a good wife has found favours, and has received gladness from God. [He that puts away a good wife, puts away a good thing, and he that keeps an adulteress is foolish and ungodly.]
Nea wanya yere no anya ade pa na onya adom fi Awurade hɔ.
Ohiani srɛ ahummɔbɔ, nanso ɔdefo de kasaden bua no.
Ɔbarima a ne nnamfonom dɔɔso betumi ahwe ase, nanso adamfo bi wɔ hɔ a ɔbɛfam ne ho asen onua.
