< Lododowo 13 >

1 Vi nyanu ɖoa to fofoa ƒe amehehe, ke fewuɖula metsɔa ɖeke le mokaname me o.
A wise son hears his father's instruction, but a mocker will not listen to rebuke.
2 Ame ƒe nu ƒe kutsetsee wòtsɔna ɖua nu nyuiwoe, ke nuteƒemawɔlawo ƒe dzi tsi dzi ɖe nu vlo wɔwɔ ŋuti.
From the fruit of his mouth a person enjoys good things, but the appetite of the treacherous is for violence.
3 Ame si dzɔa eƒe nuyiwo ŋuti la dzɔa eƒe agbe ŋuti, ke ame si kea nu kabakaba la atsrɔ̃.
The one who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens wide his lips will ruin himself.
4 Nu dzroa kuviatɔ vevie gake mekpɔa naneke o, ke vevidonula ƒe didiwo vaa eme nɛ.
The appetite of lazy people craves but gets nothing, but the appetite of diligent people will be richly satisfied.
5 Ame dzɔdzɔe léa fu alakpanya, ke ame vɔ̃ɖiwo ya hea ŋukpe kple vlododo vɛ.
The righteous person hates lies, but a wicked person makes himself repugnant, and he does what is shameful.
6 Dzɔdzɔenyenye dzɔa ŋutsu fɔmaɖila ƒe agbe ŋuti, ke vɔ̃ɖivɔ̃ɖi léa nu vɔ̃ wɔla ƒua anyi.
Righteousness protects those who are faultless in their path, but wickedness turns away those who commit sin.
7 Ame aɖe wɔna abe kesinɔtɔe wònye ene, evɔ naneke mele esi o, ame bubu wɔa eɖokui ame dahee, evɔ kesinɔnu geɖe le esi.
There is someone who enriches himself, but has nothing at all, and there is someone who gives everything away, yet is truly wealthy.
8 Ame ƒe kesinɔnuwo ate ŋu aƒle eƒe agbe ta gake ame dahe mesea ŋɔdzidoname aɖeke o.
The ransom of a rich man's life is his wealth, but a poor person does not hear a threat.
9 Ame dzɔdzɔe ƒe kekeli klẽna nyuie, ke wotsia ame vɔ̃ɖi ƒe akaɖi.
The light of righteous people rejoices, but the lamp of wicked people will be put out.
10 Dzre sɔŋ ko dada hena vɛ, ke nunya tsoa aƒe ɖe ame siwo sea aɖaŋu la gbɔ.
Pride only breeds conflict, but for those who listen to good advice there is wisdom.
11 Ga si wokpɔ to mɔ fitifiti dzi la nu va yina, ke ame si dia ga vivivi la wɔnɛ be wòdzina ɖe edzi.
Wealth dwindles away when there is too much vanity, but the one who makes money by working with his hand will make his money grow.
12 Mɔkpɔkpɔ si woɖe ɖa la nana dzi léa dɔ, ke didi si va eme la nye agbeti.
When hope is postponed, it breaks the heart, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
13 Ame si doa vlo amehehe la xɔa eŋufetu, ke ame si ɖoa to sedede la xɔa eteƒeɖoɖo.
Whoever despises instruction brings destruction on himself, but he who respects the commandment will be rewarded.
14 Nunyala ƒe nufiafia nye agbevudo, eye wòɖea ame tso ku ƒe mɔkawo me.
The teaching of a wise person is a fountain of life, turning you away from the snares of death.
15 Gɔmesese nyui hea amenuveve vanɛ, ke nuteƒemawɔlawo ƒe mɔ dzi sesẽna.
Good insight wins favor, but the way of the treacherous is never-ending.
16 Nunyala ɖe sia ɖe wɔa nu kple gɔmesese, ke bometsila ɖea eƒe bometsitsi fiana.
Prudent people act out of knowledge in every decision, but a fool parades his folly.
17 Dɔtsɔla vɔ̃ɖi gena ɖe dzɔgbevɔ̃e me, ke dɔtsɔla si wɔa nuteƒe la hea dɔyɔyɔ vanɛ.
A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings reconciliation.
18 Ame si do toku amehehe la, ahedada kple ŋukpe vaa edzi, ke wodea bubu ame si lɔ̃a mokaname ŋuti.
The one who ignores instruction will have poverty and shame, but honor will come to him who learns from correction.
19 Didi si vaa eme la vivina na luʋɔ, ke vɔ̃tsitsri nye ŋunyɔ na bometsilawo.
A longing realized is sweet to the appetite, but fools hate to turn away from evil.
20 Ame si zɔna kple nunyala la, dzea nunya, ke ame si dzea xɔ̃ bometsilawo la gena ɖe fuwɔame me.
Walk with wise people and you will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
21 Dzɔgbevɔ̃e tia vɔ̃wɔla yome gake dzɔgbenyui nye ame dzɔdzɔe ƒe fetu.
Disaster runs after sinners, but righteous people are rewarded with good.
22 Ame nyui gblẽa domenyinu ɖi na via ƒe viwo, ke woɖoa ame vɔ̃ɖi ƒe kesinɔnuwo ɖi na ame dzɔdzɔewo.
A good person leaves an inheritance for his grandchildren, but a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous person.
23 Ame dahe ƒe agble wɔa nuku geɖe, ke amebaba kplɔnɛ dzonae.
An unplowed field owned by the poor could produce much food, but it is swept away by injustice.
24 Ame si vea nu le ameƒoti gbɔ la léa fu via, ke ame si lɔ̃a via la kpɔa egbɔ be yehee nyuie.
The one who does not discipline his son hates him, but one who loves his son is careful to instruct him.
25 Ame dzɔdzɔe ɖua nu ɖia ƒo, ke dɔ wua ame vɔ̃ɖi ya.
The righteous person eats until he satisfies his appetite, but the stomach of the wicked is always hungry.

< Lododowo 13 >