Proverbs 18
1 He that separateth himself [from God] seeketh his own desires: at every sound wisdom is he enraged.
Ɔhonamkani yɛ pɛsɛmenkominya; na nea ɛmfa atɛntrenee mma no turuw ɔham.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but in laying open what is in his heart.
Ɔkwasea nni nhumu ho anigye, na mmom nea ɔpɛ ara ne sɛ ɔde nʼadwene bɛto gua.
3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with dishonorable acts, disgrace.
Sɛ amumɔyɛsɛm ba a animtiaabu di so, na aniwu nso di animguase akyi.
4 Like deep waters are the words of a [wise] man's mouth, and a bubbling brook is the well-spring of wisdom.
Onipa anom nsɛm yɛ nsu a emu dɔ, na nyansa asuti yɛ asuwa a ɛrefi ahuru.
5 It is not good to favor the person of the wicked, to wrest [the cause of the] righteous in judgment.
Enye sɛ wodi ma omumɔyɛfo anaasɛ wobu nea odi bem ntɛnkyew.
6 The lips of the fool come with contention, and his mouth calleth for blows.
Nkwaseafo ano de akasakasa ba, na wɔn ano frɛfrɛ ɔhwe.
7 The mouth of the fool is a destruction to himself, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
Nkwaseafo ano yɛ wɔn ara wɔn sɛe, na wɔn anofafa yɛ wɔn ara wɔn kra afiri.
8 The words of a whisperer are as wounds, and they go down indeed into the innermost parts of the body.
Osekuni ano asɛm te sɛ aduan a ɛyɛ dɛ; ɛhyɛnhyɛn onipa akwaa mu nyinaa.
9 He also that showeth himself slothful in his work is a brother to the destroyer.
Nea ɔtoto nʼadwuma ase no yɛ ɔsɛefo nuabarima.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower, whereunto the righteous runneth, and is placed in safety.
Awurade din yɛ abantenten a ɛyɛ den; ahotefo guan kɔtoa na wonya bammɔ.
11 The rich man's wealth is his strong town, and as a towering wall in his own conceit.
Adefo ahonyade ne wɔn kuropɔn a wɔabɔ ho ban wɔfa no sɛ ɔfasu tenten a wontumi mforo.
12 Before downfall the heart of man becometh haughty, and before honor goeth humility.
Ansa na onipa bɛhwe ase no onya ahomaso koma, na ahobrɛase di anuonyam anim.
13 When one returneth an answer before he understandeth [the question], it is folly unto him and shame.
Nea ontie asɛm ansa na wama mmuae no, ɛno ne ne gyimi ne nʼanimguase.
14 The spirit of a man will readily bear his disease; but a depressed spirit who can bear:
Onipa honhom na ɛhyɛ no den wɔ ɔyare mu na honhom a abotow de, hena na ɔpɛ?
15 The heart of the man of understanding will obtain knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
Nhumu koma nya nimdeɛ; na anyansafo aso nso hwehwɛ.
16 A man's gift maketh room for him, and before great men will it lead him.
Akyɛde bue kwan ma nea ɔde ma na ɛde no ba atitiriw anim.
17 He that is first in his cause seemeth just; but when his neighbor cometh, then will it be investigated.
Ɛyɛ nea ɔbɔ ne nkuro kan no sɛ nʼasɛm yɛ dɛ, kosi sɛ ɔfoforo bɛba abebisa no nsɛm no mu.
18 The lot causeth disputes to cease, and it decideth between the mighty.
Ntontobɔ twa akyinnyegye so, na ɛpata atamfo.
19 A brother offended is harder [to be won] than a strong town; and quarrels [among brothers] are like the bars of a castle.
Onua a wɔafom no no asɛm yɛ den sen kuropɔn a ɛwɔ bammɔ, akyinnyegye te sɛ abankɛse apon a wɔabram akyi.
20 From the fruit of a man's mouth is his body satisfied; with the product of his lips doth he satisfy himself.
Onipa anom asɛm so aba ma ɔyafunu mee, nnɔbae a nʼanofafa twa no mee no.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it will eat its fruit.
Tɛkrɛma kura nkwa ne owu tumi, na wɔn a wɔdɔ no no bedi nʼaba.
22 Whoso hath found a wife hath found happiness, and hath obtained favor from the Lord.
Nea wanya yere no anya ade pa na onya adom fi Awurade hɔ.
23 The poor speaketh entreatingly; but the rich answereth roughly.
Ohiani srɛ ahummɔbɔ, nanso ɔdefo de kasaden bua no.
24 A man's many companions are hurtful to him; but there is many a friend that cleaveth closer than a brother.
Ɔbarima a ne nnamfonom dɔɔso betumi ahwe ase, nanso adamfo bi wɔ hɔ a ɔbɛfam ne ho asen onua.
