Proverbs 9
1 Wisdom has built a house for herself, and set up seven pillars.
Nyansa asi ne fie; watwa nʼafadum nson ho.
2 She has killed her beasts; she has mingled her wine in a bowl, and prepared her table.
Wasiesie nʼaduane afra ne nsã wato ne ɛpono.
3 She has sent forth her servants, calling with a loud proclamation to the feast, saying,
Wasoma ne mmaawa, na ɔfrɛ firi kuropɔn no sorɔnsorɔmmea hɔ sɛ,
4 Whoso is foolish, let him turn aside to me: and to them that lack understanding she says,
“Momma ntetekwaafoɔ nyinaa mmra ha!” Ɔka kyerɛ wɔn a wɔnni atemmuo sɛ,
5 Come, eat of my bread, and drink wine which I have mingled for you.
“Mommra mmɛdi mʼaduane na monnom nsã a mafra no.
6 Leave folly, that you may reign for ever; and seek wisdom, and improve understanding by knowledge.
Monnya mo ntetekwaasɛm no na mobɛnya nkwa; monnante nteaseɛ akwan so.”
7 He that reproves evil [men] shall get dishonor to himself; and he that rebukes an ungodly [man] shall disgrace himself.
Deɛ ɔtenetene ɔfɛdifoɔ no frɛ ahohorabɔ; na deɛ ɔka amumuyɛfoɔ anim no nya ɔyea.
8 Rebuke not evil [men], lest they should hate you: rebuke a wise [man], and he will love you.
Ɛno enti, nnka ɔfɛdifoɔ anim na ɔmmɛtane wo; ka onyansafoɔ anim na ɔbɛdɔ wo.
9 Give an opportunity to a wise [man], and he will be wiser: instruct a just man, and he will receive more [instruction].
Ma onyansafoɔ akwankyerɛ na ɔbɛkɔ so ahunu nyansa; kyerɛkyerɛ ɔteneneeni na ɔde bɛka nʼadesua ho.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the counsel of saints is understanding: for to know the law is [the character] of a sound mind.
Awurade suro yɛ nyansa ahyɛaseɛ Ɔkronkronni no ho nimdeɛ yɛ nteaseɛ.
11 For in this way you shall live long, and years of your life shall be added to you.
Me mu na wo nna bɛdɔɔso, na wɔde mfeɛ bɛka wo nkwa ho.
12 Son, if you be wise for yourself, you shall also be wise for your neighbors; and if you should prove wicked, you alone will bear the evil. He that stays himself upon falsehoods, attempts to rule the winds, and the same will pursue birds in their fight: for he has forsaken the ways of his own vineyard, and he has caused the axles of his own husbandry to go astray; and he goes through a dry desert, and a [land] appointed to drought, and he gathers barrenness with his hands.
Sɛ woyɛ onyansafoɔ a, wobɛnya wo nyansa ho mfasoɔ; sɛ woyɛ ɔfɛdifoɔ a, wo nko ara na ɛbɛhunu amane.
13 A foolish and bold woman, who knows not modesty, comes to lack a morsel.
Ɔbaa ɔkwasea yɛ ɔkasafoɔ; ɔnni ahohyɛsoɔ na ɔnni nimdeɛ.
14 She sits at the doors of her house, on a seat openly in the streets,
Ɔte ne fie ɛpono ano, na ɔte akonnwa a ɛsi kuropɔn no sorɔnsorɔmmea,
15 calling to passers by, and to those that are going right on their ways;
na ɔfrɛfrɛ wɔn a wɔtwam hɔ, wɔn a wɔnam wɔn kwan so tee sɛ,
16 [saying], Whoso is most senseless of you, let him turn aside to me; and I exhort those that lack prudence, saying,
“Momma ntetekwaafoɔ nyinaa mmra ha” ɔka kyerɛ wɔn a wɔnni atemmuo sɛ,
17 Take and enjoy secret bread, and the sweet water of theft.
“Nsuo a wɔwia no yɛ fremfrem na aduane a wɔdi no ahintaeɛ no yɛ dɛ!”
