Proverbs 25
1 These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
Esiawoe nye Solomo ƒe lododo bubu siwo Yuda fia Hezekia ƒe dɔdzikpɔlawo ŋlɔ da ɖi.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
Enye Mawu ƒe ŋutikɔkɔe be wòaɣla nya; eye fiawo ƒe bubue nye be woaku nya me.
3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
Abe ale si dziƒo kɔe eye anyigba gogloe ene la, nenemae womate ŋu adzro fiawo ƒe dzi me o.
4 Take away the dross from the silver, and material comes out for the refiner;
Ɖe ɖi ɖa le klosalo ŋu, ekema klosalonutula kpɔ dɔwɔnu.
5 Take away the wicked from the king's presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
Ɖe ame vɔ̃ɖi ɖa le fia la ŋkume ekema eƒe fiazikpui ali ke to dzɔdzɔenyenye me.
6 Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, or claim a place among great men;
Mègado ɖokuiwò ɖe dzi le fia la ŋkume o eye mègaʋli nɔƒe le amegãwo dome o.
7 for it is better that it be said to you, "Come up here," than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom your eyes have seen.
Enyo be wòagblɔ na wò be, “Va dzime le afii” wu be wòaɖiɖi wò le bubumewo ŋkume. Nu si nèkpɔ kple wò ŋkuwo la,
8 Do not be hasty in bringing charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you?
mègatsɔ dzitsitsi ahee va ʋɔnui o elabena nu ka nàwɔ le nuwuwua ne hawòvi la do ŋukpe wò?
9 Debate your case with your neighbor, and do not betray the confidence of another;
Ne èle nya hem kple hawòvi la, mègaʋu go ame bubu ƒe nya ɣaɣla o,
10 lest one who hears it put you to shame, and your bad reputation never depart.
ne menye nenema o la, ame si see la ado ŋukpe wò eye ŋkɔ baɖa si le ŋuwò la maɖe ɖa akpɔ gbeɖe o.
11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
Nya si wogblɔ dedie la, le abe “sikaplu” le klosalogba me ene.
12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.
Ŋutsu nunyala ƒe mokaname le na to si le esem la abe sikatogɛ alo sikatsyɔ̃ɖonu aɖe ene.
13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him; for he refreshes the soul of his masters.
Dɔla nuteƒewɔla le na ame siwo dɔe la abe ale si sno fanae le nuŋeɣi ene; enana eƒe aƒetɔwo ƒe gbɔgbɔ gbɔna ɖe eme.
14 As clouds and wind without rain, so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.
Ŋutsu si ƒoa adegbe le nunana siwo mena o ŋu la le abe lilikpododo kple ya si medzaa tsi o la ene.
15 By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone.
Dzigbɔɖie wotsɔna blea fia nue eye aɖe bɔbɔe ate ŋu agbã ƒu.
16 Have you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you, lest you eat too much, and vomit it.
Ne èke ɖe anyitsi ŋu la, no esi sinu nàte ŋui ko, ne ènoe fũu akpa la, àdzɔe.
17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he be weary of you, and hate you.
Mègaƒo afɔɖi hawòvi ƒe aƒe me o, ne èle egbɔ dem kabakaba la, ava tsri wò.
18 A man who gives false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
Ŋutsu si ɖi aʋatsoɖase ɖe ehavi ŋu la le abe kpo, yi alo aŋutrɔ ɖaɖɛ ene.
19 Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble is like a bad tooth, or a lame foot.
Dziɖoɖo ɖe nuteƒemawɔla ŋu le xaxaɣiwo le abe aɖu vovo alo afɔ tutu ene.
20 As one who takes away a garment in cold weather, or vinegar on soda, so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
Ame si dzi ha na dzi kpekpe tɔ la le abe ame si ɖe awu kpekpe ɖi le vuvɔwɔgbe alo “vinigae” wokɔ ɖe “soɖa” dzi ene.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him something to eat. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink,
Ne dɔ le wò ketɔ wum la, na nui wòaɖu, ne tsikɔ le ewum la, na tsii wòano.
22 for by doing this you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
Ne èwɔ esia la, àƒo dzoka xɔxɔwo nu ƒu ɖe eƒe ta dzi, eye Yehowa ŋutɔ aɖo eteƒe na wò.
23 The north wind brings forth rain: so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.
Abe ale si anyieheya hea tsidzadza vɛ ene la, nenema amenyagblɔɖe dea adã mo na amee.
24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than to share a house with a contentious woman.
Enyo be woanɔ dzogoe dzi le xɔta wu be woanɔ aƒe ɖeka me kple srɔ̃nyɔnu dzrewɔla.
25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
Abe ale si tsi fafɛ faa akɔ na luʋɔ gbɔdzɔe ene la, nenema kee nya nyui tso duta hã nɔna.
26 Like a muddied spring, and a polluted well, so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
Ame dzɔdzɔe si na mɔ ame vɔ̃ɖi la le abe tsitsetse si me blu alo vudo si me wolɔ gbe kɔ ɖo la ene.
27 It is not good to eat much honey; nor is it honorable to seek one's own honor.
Menyo be woano anyitsi fũu alo wònye nu dzeame be ame nadi eya ŋutɔ ƒe bubu o.
28 Like a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint.
Ame si meɖua eɖokui dzi o la le abe du si ŋu wogbã gli le la ene.
