Proverbs 18
1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
Ɔhonamkani yɛ pɛsɛmenkominya; na nea ɛmfa atɛntrenee mma no turuw ɔham.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
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 ignominy reproach.
Sɛ amumɔyɛsɛm ba a animtiaabu di so, na aniwu nso di animguase akyi.
4 The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
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 wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
Enye sɛ wodi ma omumɔyɛfo anaasɛ wobu nea odi bem ntɛnkyew.
6 A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
Nkwaseafo ano de akasakasa ba, na wɔn ano frɛfrɛ ɔhwe.
7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, 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 talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
Osekuni ano asɛm te sɛ aduan a ɛyɛ dɛ; ɛhyɛnhyɛn onipa akwaa mu nyinaa.
9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
Nea ɔtoto nʼadwuma ase no yɛ ɔsɛefo nuabarima.
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
Awurade din yɛ abantenten a ɛyɛ den; ahotefo guan kɔtoa na wonya bammɔ.
11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
Adefo ahonyade ne wɔn kuropɔn a wɔabɔ ho ban wɔfa no sɛ ɔfasu tenten a wontumi mforo.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
Ansa na onipa bɛhwe ase no onya ahomaso koma, na ahobrɛase di anuonyam anim.
13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame to him.
Nea ontie asɛm ansa na wama mmuae no, ɛno ne ne gyimi ne nʼanimguase.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded 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 prudent getteth 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 bringeth him before great men.
Akyɛde bue kwan ma nea ɔde ma na ɛde no ba atitiriw anim.
17 He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
Ɛyɛ nea ɔbɔ ne nkuro kan no sɛ nʼasɛm yɛ dɛ, kosi sɛ ɔfoforo bɛba abebisa no nsɛm no mu.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
Ntontobɔ twa akyinnyegye so, na ɛpata atamfo.
19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions 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 A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
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 shall eat the fruit of it.
Tɛkrɛma kura nkwa ne owu tumi, na wɔn a wɔdɔ no no bedi nʼaba.
22 Whoever findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour from the LORD.
Nea wanya yere no anya ade pa na onya adom fi Awurade hɔ.
23 The poor useth entreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
Ohiani srɛ ahummɔbɔ, nanso ɔdefo de kasaden bua no.
24 A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
Ɔbarima a ne nnamfonom dɔɔso betumi ahwe ase, nanso adamfo bi wɔ hɔ a ɔbɛfam ne ho asen onua.
