< Proverbs 19 >
1 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool.
Ohiani a ne nantew ho nni asɛm no ye sen ɔkwasea a nʼasɛm mfa kwan mu.
2 It isn’t good to have zeal without knowledge, nor being hasty with one’s feet and missing the way.
Mmɔdemmɔ a nimdeɛ nka ho no nye, saa ara na ntɛmpɛ a ɛma obi yera kwan nso nye.
3 The foolishness of man subverts his way; his heart rages against Yahweh.
Onipa agyimisɛm sɛe nʼabrabɔ, nanso ne koma huru tia Awurade.
4 Wealth adds many friends, but the poor is separated from his friend.
Ahonya frɛfrɛ nnamfonom bebree; nanso ohiani adamfo gyaw no hɔ.
5 A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who pours out lies shall not go free.
Adansekurumni benya nʼakatua, na nea otwa nkontompo remfa ne ho nni.
6 Many will entreat the favor of a ruler, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.
Nnipa pii pɛ adom fi sodifo nkyɛn, na nea ɔkyɛ ade yɛ obiara adamfo.
7 All the relatives of the poor shun him; how much more do his friends avoid him! He pursues them with pleas, but they are gone.
Ohiani abusuafo nyinaa po no, na saa ara na ne nnamfonom po no! Mpo ɔhwehwɛ wɔn, pɛ sɛ ɔpa wɔn kyɛw, nanso onhu wɔn baabiara.
8 He who gets wisdom loves his own soul. He who keeps understanding shall find good.
Nea onya nyansa no dɔ ne kra; nea ɔpɛ nhumu no nya nkɔso.
9 A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who utters lies shall perish.
Adansekurumni benya asotwe, na nea otwa nkontompo no bɛyera.
10 Delicate living is not appropriate for a fool, much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
Ɛmfata sɛ ɔkwasea bedi taamu, anaasɛ akoa bedi mmapɔmma so!
11 The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger. It is his glory to overlook an offense.
Onipa nyansa ma no ntoboase; ɛyɛ anuonyam ma obi sɛ obebu nʼani gu mfomso bi so.
12 The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
Ɔhene abufuw te sɛ gyata mmubomu, na nʼadom te sɛ sare so bosu.
13 A foolish son is the calamity of his father. A wife’s quarrels are a continual dripping.
Ɔba kwasea yɛ nʼagya ɔsɛe, ɔyere tɔkwapɛfo te sɛ ɔdan a ne nwini to ntwa da.
14 House and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from Yahweh.
Afi ne ahonyade yɛ agyapade a efi awofo, na ɔyere nimdefo fi Awurade.
15 Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep. The idle soul shall suffer hunger.
Akwadworɔ de nnahɔɔ ba, na ɔkɔm de ɔkwadwofo.
16 He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is contemptuous in his ways shall die.
Nea odi nkyerɛkyerɛ so no bɔ ne nkwa ho ban, na nea ogyaagyaa ne ho no bewu.
17 He who has pity on the poor lends to Yahweh; he will reward him.
Nea ɔyɛ adɔe ma ohiani no yɛ de fɛm Awurade, na obetua no nea ɔyɛ no so ka.
18 Discipline your son, for there is hope; don’t be a willing party to his death.
Teɛ wo ba, na ɛno mu na anidaso wɔ, na nyɛ wɔn a wɔde no kɔ owu mu no mu baako.
19 A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty, for if you rescue him, you must do it again.
Ɛsɛ sɛ onipa a ne koma haw no no nya so asotwe; sɛ woka ma no a, wobɛyɛ bio.
20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter end.
Tie afotu na gye nkyerɛkyerɛ to mu, na awiei no, wubehu nyansa.
21 There are many plans in a man’s heart, but Yahweh’s counsel will prevail.
Nhyehyɛe bebree wɔ onipa koma mu, nanso nea Awurade pɛ no na ɛba mu.
22 That which makes a man to be desired is his kindness. A poor man is better than a liar.
Nea onipa pɛ ne nokware dɔ; eye sɛ wobɛyɛ ohiani sen sɛ wobɛyɛ ɔtorofo.
23 The fear of Yahweh leads to life, then contentment; he rests and will not be touched by trouble.
Awurade suro kɔ nkwa mu; na onipa de abotɔyam home a ɔhaw bi nni mu.
24 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
Ɔkwadwofo de ne nsa si aduan mu, na ɛyɛ no anihaw sɛ obeyi akɔ nʼano.
25 Flog a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke one who has understanding, and he will gain knowledge.
Twa ɔfɛwdifo mmaa, na atetekwaa bɛfa adwene; ka nea ɔwɔ nhumu anim, na obenya nimdeɛ.
26 He who robs his father and drives away his mother is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.
Nea ɔbɔ nʼagya korɔn na ɔpam ne na no yɛ ɔba a ɔde aniwu ne animguase ba.
27 If you stop listening to instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.
Me ba, sɛ wugyae nkyerɛkyerɛ tie a, wobɛman afi nimdeɛ nsɛm ho.
28 A corrupt witness mocks justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down iniquity.
Adansekurumni di atɛntrenee ho fɛw; na omumɔyɛfo ano mene bɔne.
29 Penalties are prepared for scoffers, and beatings for the backs of fools.
Wɔasiesie asotwe ama fɛwdifo, ne mmaabɔ ama nkwaseafo akyi.