Mateo 12
1 Homeda bi, Yesu ne nʼasuafo no kɔfaa aburowfuw bi mu. Wɔnam aburowfuw no mu no, ɔkɔm dee asuafo no ma wɔpenpan aburow no bi wee.
During that period of time, on a (Sabbath/Jewish day of rest), Jesus [and we] disciples were walking through some grain fields. And because we were hungry, we began to pick some of the heads of grain and eat them. [The laws of Moses permitted people to do that if they were hungry].
2 Farisifo bi huu nea asuafo no reyɛ no, anyɛ wɔn abodwo. Wobisaa Yesu se, “Woahu sɛ wʼasuafo no abu Homeda mmara no so?”
Some Pharisees saw us [do what they considered to be work]. So they said to Jesus, [accusing him], “Look! Your disciples are doing [work] that is not permitted [in our] laws [PRS] [for us] to do on our day of rest!”
3 Yesu nso bisaa wɔn se, “Monkenkan nea Ɔhene Dawid yɛe, bere a ɔkɔm dee ɔne wɔn a na wɔka ne ho no?
[Jesus wanted to show them that the record in the Scriptures indicated that God permitted people to disobey certain religious laws when they needed food]. [So] he said to them, “[It is written] {[Someone wrote]} [in the Scriptures] [RHQ] what [our revered ancestor King] David did when he and the men with him were hungry. You have read about that, ([but you do not think about what it implies!/so why do you not think about what it implies]?) [RHQ]
4 Wɔkɔɔ Onyankopɔn fi kodii brodo a wɔde abɔ afɔre, a anka wonni ho kwan sɛ wodi, gye ɔsɔfo nko ara no. Ɛno nso yɛ mmara so bu?
David entered the big tent [where they worshipped] God [and asked for some food. The high priest gave him] the bread that had been {they had} presented [to God]. According to the laws [of Moses], only priests were permitted to eat that bread, but David and the men who were with him ate it. And [God did not consider that what they did was wrong]
5 Na monnsan nkenkan mfii Mose mmara no mu, sɛ asɔfo a wɔyɛ hyiadan mu adwuma no tumi yɛ adwuma Homeda nso?
Also, think about the laws that [Moses wrote] [RHQ]. He said that [even though] the priests, [by working] in the Temple on our Jewish day of rest, are not obeying the Jewish day of rest [laws], they are not guilty. You have surely read that, [but you do not understand what it means].
6 Mereka ama moate ase sɛ, nea ɔkyɛn hyiadan no wɔ ha!
Note this: [God allows men to work in] the Temple [on our rest day because that work must be done. But in addition, I] tell you that [I have] more [authority than the authority of] the Temple. So, it is more important for you to obey my teachings than to obey your traditions about our rest day.
7 Sɛ moate asɛm a ese, ‘Mmɔborɔhunu na mepɛ na ɛnyɛ afɔrebɔ’ no ase yiye a, anka moremmu wɔn a wonni fɔ no fɔ.
[You should think about] these words [of God in the Scriptures]: ‘I want you to [act] mercifully toward people, and not [just] offer sacrifices.’ If you understood what that means, you would not condemn [my disciples], who have done no wrong.
8 Na me, Onipa Ba no, meyɛ Homeda no wura.”
[And I want you to know that] I, the one who came from heaven, have [the] authority [to determine what is right for my disciples to do on] the days of rest.”
9 Yesu fii nea ɔwɔ hɔ no kɔɔ hyiadan mu.
After Jesus left there [that day], he went into a building where we Jews worship God.
10 Ohuu ɔbarima bi wɔ ɔdan mu hɔ a na ne nsa baako awu. Farisifo no bisaa Yesu se, “Enti mmara ma ho kwan sɛ obi sa yare Homeda ana?” Wobisaa eyi sɛnea ɛbɛyɛ a wobenya kwan atoto nʼano na wɔakyere no!
[He saw] a man with a shriveled hand there. [The Pharisees thought that Jesus would be disobeying the tradition about not working on the day of rest if he healed the man, so one of] them asked him, “Does [God] permit [us] to heal [people] on our day of rest?” [They asked that question] so that they might accuse him [if he healed someone] (on the Sabbath/on the Jewish rest day).
11 Yesu buaa wɔn se, “Mo mu hena na ɔwɔ oguan baako na sɛ ɔkɔtɔ amoa mu Homeda a, ɔrenyi no? Ɔkwan biara so wobɛkɔ akoyi no.
He replied to them, “Would anyone among you who has [only] one sheep that falls into a hole (on the Sabbath/on the Jewish rest day) [just leave it there] [RHQ]? [Certainly not]! You would take hold of it and lift it out right away, [and that would be acceptable work on our day of rest, too]
12 Onipa som bo sen oguan! Eyi nti ɛwɔ ho kwan sɛ wɔyɛ papa Homeda.”
[Because] sheep are valuable, [their owners may work on our day of rest in order to rescue them. So, because] people are more valuable than sheep, it is certainly right for us to do something good [by healing another person any day, including] our day of rest!”
13 Afei Yesu ka kyerɛɛ nea ne nsa awu no se, “Teɛ wo nsa!” Ɔyarefo no teɛɛ ne nsa. Ɔteɛɛ ne nsa no ahoɔden baa mu ma ɛyɛɛ sɛ baako no.
Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your [withered] hand!” The man stretched it out, and it became normal like the other hand!
14 Farisifo no fii adi kotuu sɛnea wɔbɛkyere Yesu akum no no ho agyina.
Then the Pharisees left [the meeting house. They were worried that the people would reject their traditions and would accept Jesus’ teaching instead. So] they met together to plan how they could kill him.
15 Esiane sɛ na onim pɔw a wɔrebɔ wɔ ne ho no nti, ofii hyiadan no mu maa nnipadɔm dii nʼakyi. Ɔsaa wɔn mu ayarefo no nyinaa yare.
Because Jesus knew [that the Pharisees were plotting to kill him], he [took us disciples and] went away from there. Crowds, [including many sick people], followed him, [wanting him to heal them], and he healed them all.
16 Nanso ɔbɔɔ wɔn ano se wɔmmmɔ nʼanwonwade a ɔyɛɛ no ho dawuru.
But he told them firmly that they should not tell [other people yet] who he was.
17 Na nkɔm a Odiyifo Yesaia hyɛɛ no aba mu se:
[By acting humbly like that] he fulfilled what was written by Isaiah the prophet {what Isaiah the prophet wrote} [long ago about the Messiah]. [Isaiah wrote] that God said:
18 “Monhwɛ mʼakoa a mayi no, nea medɔ no a me kra ani sɔ no, mede me honhom begu no so, na wabu amanaman atɛn.
Take note of my servant whom I have chosen, the one whom I love and with whom I am pleased. I will put my Spirit in him, and he will proclaim that [God] will judge the non-Jews justly.
19 Ɔrenko, na ɔrenteɛteɛ mu. Na obi rente ne nne wɔ abɔnten so!
He will not quarrel [with people], neither will he shout. He will not [teach with] a loud voice in the [main] streets.
20 Ɔrensɛe demmire a ɛyɛ mmerɛw no. Kanea ntamabamma a ɛnnɛw yiye no, ɔrennum; kosi sɛ ɔnam atɛntrenee so de nkonimdi bɛba.
Until he has justly judged [the people who trust in him and] has declared them not guilty, he will not destroy [anyone who is weak like] a smashed stalk [MET], nor will he silence [anyone who is as helpless as] a smoldering [linen] wick [MET, DOU].
21 Ne din bɛyɛ amanaman nyinaa anidaso.”
As a result, the non-Jews will confidently expect [that he will do great things for them].
22 Afei wɔde obi a ɔyɛ mum san yɛ onifuraefo, na honhommɔne nso wɔ ne so brɛɛ Yesu sɛ ɔnsa no yare. Yesu saa no yare ma ɔkasae, san huu ade.
One day when Jesus was at home, [some men] brought to [Jesus] a man [who, because of being] controlled by a demon {a demon controlled him}, was blind and unable to speak. [Jesus] healed him [by expelling the demon]. As a result, the man [began to] talk and [was able to] see.
23 Nnipadɔm a wɔwɔ hɔ no ho dwiriw wɔn. Wɔkae se, “Ebetumi aba sɛ Yesu yi yɛ Dawid Ba no, Agyenkwa no ana?”
All the crowd [who saw it] marveled. They began asking [each other], “Could this man be the [Messiah, the] descendant of [King] David, [whom we have been expecting]?”
24 Nanso Farisifo no tee anwonwade a Yesu yɛe no, wɔkae se, “Ɔnam ahonhommɔne nyinaa panyin, Ɔbonsam Beelsebul no so na otu ahonhommɔne.”
Because the Pharisees [and the men who taught the Jewish laws] heard [that the people thought that Jesus might be the Messiah because he had expelled the demon], they said, “[It is not God, but] Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons, who enables [this man] to expel demons [from people!]”
25 Yesu huu wɔn adwene maa wɔn mmuae se, “Ahemman biara a edi mpaapaemu no ntumi nnyina. Saa ara nso na kurow anaa ofi biara a edi mpaapaemu no ntumi nnyina.
But Jesus knew what [the Pharisees] were thinking [and saying]. So, [in order to show them that what they said did not make sense], he said to them, “If [the people in] [MTY] one nation fight against each other, [they] will destroy their nation {their nation will be destroyed}. If [people who live in] the same city or house fight each other, they will certainly not remain [as one group or family].
26 Na sɛ ɔbonsam retu ɔbonsam a na ɛkyerɛ sɛ ɔne ne ho na ɛreko de asɛe nʼaheman.
[Similarly], if Satan were expelling his own [demons] [MTY], [it would be as though] he was fighting against himself. (His kingdom would not continue!/How could his kingdom continue?) [RHQ] His rule over them would [certainly] not last!
27 Na sɛ menam Beelsebul tumi so na mitu ahonhommɔne a, hena so na mo nkurɔfo nam tu ahonhommɔne? Saa na ɛte de a, mo nkurɔfo no ara na wobebu mo atɛn.
Furthermore, if [it is true that] Satan enables me to expel demons, is it also true that your disciples [who] expel demons [do so] by [Satan’s] power [RHQ]? [No] So they will show you that you [are not thinking logically].
28 Nanso sɛ menam Onyankopɔn Honhom so na mitu honhommɔne de a, na ɛkyerɛ sɛ Onyankopɔn Ahenni no aba mo so.
But because it is God’s Spirit who [enables] me to expel demons, [that proves that the power of] God to rule [people’s lives] has come to you.
29 “Obi ntumi nkɔ ɔhoɔdenfo fi mu nkowia no, agye sɛ onipa ko no di kan de hama kyekyere no.
[I will illustrate why I am able to expel demons]. (A person cannot go into the house of a strong man) [RHQ] [But if he ties up the strong man], then he will be able to steal [the things in that man’s] house.
30 “Obiara a onni mʼafa no, tia me. Na nea ɔne me mmoaboa ano no hwete mu.
[No one can be neutral]. Those who do not acknowledge [that the Holy Spirit enables] me [to expel demons] are opposing me, and those who do not gather [people to become] my [disciples] are causing [those people] to [DOU] go away [from me].
31 Mereka akyerɛ mo se, wɔde bɔne ne abususɛm nyinaa bɛkyɛ nnipa, nanso abususɛm a etia Honhom Kronkron no de, wɔremfa nkyɛ.
You [are saying that it is not the Holy Spirit who is enabling me to expel demons]. So I will say this to you: [If] those who offend and slander other people in any way are [then sorry and ask God to forgive them, God] will forgive them. But people who discredit what the Holy Spirit does will not be forgiven {[God] will not forgive [people] who discredit what the Holy Spirit does}.
32 Nea ɔbɛkasa atia Onipa Ba no, wɔde bɛkyɛ no. Nanso nea ɔbɛkasa atia Honhom Kronkron no de, wɔremfa nkyɛ no da biara da. (aiōn g165)
[God is willing to] forgive people who criticize [me], the One who came from heaven. But I [warn you that] those who say evil things about what the Holy Spirit [does] will not be forgiven {[God] will not forgive people who speak evil words about what the Holy Spirit [does]}. They will not be forgiven {[He] will not forgive them} now, and they will never be forgiven {[he] will never forgive them}.” (aiōn g165)
33 “Dua biara aba na wɔde hu ne su. Dua pa sow aba pa na dua bɔne nso sow aba bɔne.
“Think about this: You can know whether [a person is good and what that person says is good, in the same way that you] can know whether a tree [MET] and the fruit it produces [MET] are good. [You can also know whether a person and what that person says is evil in the same way that you can know] whether a tree [MET] and its fruit [MET] are blighted. You can know whether a tree is good by [seeing] its fruit, and similarly [people can know the evil character of you Pharisees by listening to your accusations against me].
34 Awɔ mma! Ɛbɛyɛ dɛn na abɔnefo sɛ mo atumi aka nea eye ho asɛm? Nea ayɛ koma ma abu so no na ano ka.
[What] you [teach harms people spiritually like poisonous] snakes [harm them physically] [MET]! You are not able to speak good things because you are evil [RHQ]. Evil people [SYN] [like you] speak what comes from all that is in their (inner beings/hearts).
35 Onipa pa anom asɛm da nnepa a ɛwɔ ne mu no adi. Saa ara na onipa bɔne nso anom asɛm da nnebɔne a ɛwɔ ne mu no adi.
Good people [speak good things. That is like] taking good things out of buildings where they are stored. But evil people [speak evil things. That is like] taking evil things out of buildings where they are stored.
36 Mereka makyerɛ mo se, atemmuda no, asɛnhunu biara a obi aka no, obebu ho akontaa.
I tell you that on the day when God judges [MTY], he will make people recall every useless word they have spoken, [and he will judge them accordingly].
37 Wʼanom asɛm so na wɔnam bebu wo bem anaa fɔ.”
Based on the words that you have spoken, [God] will [either] declare that you are righteous based on the words that you have spoken, or [else] he will condemn you.”
38 Da bi, Yudafo mpanyimfo bi a Farisifo bi ka wɔn ho baa Yesu nkyɛn bɛka kyerɛɛ no se, ɔnyɛ nsɛnkyerɛnne bi nkyerɛ wɔn.
Then some of the Pharisees and men who taught the [Jewish] laws responded [to what Jesus was teaching] by saying to him, “Teacher, we want to see you [perform] a miracle [that would prove to us that God sent you].”
39 Yesu buaa wɔn se, “Ɔman a wɔyɛ abɔnefo a wonni gyidi na wɔpɛ sɛ wohu nsɛnkyerɛnne. Nanso wɔrenhu nsɛnkyerɛnne biara ka Odiyifo Yona de no ho.
Then Jesus said to them, “[You] people [have already seen me perform miracles], but you are evil, and you do not faithfully worship God [MET]! You want [me to perform] a miracle [that would prove to you that God sent me], but [God will enable] you to see only one miracle. It will be [like] what happened to Jonah the prophet [MET].
40 Na sɛnea Yona kodii bonsu yam nnansa no, saa ara na ɛsɛ sɛ Onipa Ba no kodi asase mu nnansa.
Jonah was in the stomach of a huge fish for three days and nights [before God caused him to live again]. Similarly, for three days and nights I, the one who came from heaven, will be in a place [where dead people are, and then God will cause me to live again].
41 Atemmuda no Ninewe mmarima ne nnɛmma bɛsɔre ayi ɔman yi atɛn, efisɛ bere a Yona kaa asɛmpa no, wɔsakraa wɔn adwene. Nanso nea ɔsen Yona wɔ ha.
When [God] judges [all people], the people who lived in Nineveh will stand [in front of him] with [you] people who [have seen me perform miracles]. The [people of Nineveh turned from their sinful ways as a result of hearing what] Jonah preached. [Jonah was important, but I], who am more important than Jonah, [have come and preached to you, but you have not turned from your sinful ways. So] when [God] judges [all people, he] will condemn you.
42 Atemmuda no, Sebahemmea bɛsɔre atia ɔman yi, efisɛ ofi asase ano nohɔ betiee Salomo nyansa nsɛm. Nanso nea ɔsen Salomo no wɔ ha.
The queen from [Sheba, South of Israel, who lived long ago, came from a distant region in order to listen to King Solomon teach] many wise things. But now [I], [a man] who [is much] greater [and wiser] than Solomon, am here, [but you have not listened to what I have told you]. So at the time when [God] judges [all people], the queen from [Sheba will stand in front of him, along] with you people, and will condemn you.”
43 “Saa ɔman nnebɔneyɛfo yi te sɛ obi a honhommɔne wɔ ne so. Sɛ honhommɔne no tu fi ne mu a, ekyinkyin, hwehwɛ homebea nanso ennya bi.
“[Sometimes] when an evil spirit leaves a person, it wanders around in desolate areas, seeking [someone in whom it can] rest. If it does not find anyone,
44 Sɛ ɛba saa a, nea honhommɔne no ka ne se, ‘Mɛsan akɔ onipa a mifii ne mu bae no mu bio.’ Ɔsan kɔ onipa no mu na ohu sɛ ne mu da mpan, na wɔasiesie hɔ fɛfɛɛfɛ a,
it says [to itself], ‘I will return to the person [MET] in whom I used to live.’ So it goes back [and finds that the Spirit of God is not in control of that] person’s [life. The person’s life is like] a house that has been swept clean and everything put in order [MET], [but it is] empty.
45 ɔsan nʼakyi kɔfa ahonhommɔne afoforo ason a wɔyɛ den kyɛn no ba ma wɔn nyinaa bɛtena ne mu. Eyi ma onipa no asetena no sɛe kyɛn ne kan asetena no.”
Then [this evil spirit] goes and gets seven other spirits that are [even] more evil, and they [all] enter [that person] and [begin] living there. [So, although] that person’s condition [was bad] before, it becomes much worse. That is what [you] wicked people who [have heard me teach] will experience.”
46 Bere a Yesu reka asɛmpa akyerɛ nnipadɔm wɔ ofi bi mu no, ne na ne ne nuanom begyinaa afikyiri pɛɛ sɛ wɔne no kasa.
While Jesus was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and his [younger] brothers [arrived]. They stood outside [the house], wanting to speak with him.
47 Nnipa a wɔwɔ hɔ no mu baako kɔka kyerɛɛ Yesu se, “Wo na ne wo nuanom gyina afikyiri hɔ pɛ sɛ wɔne wo kasa.”
Someone said to him, “Your mother and your [younger] brothers are standing outside [the house], wanting to talk to you.”
48 Yesu kae se, “Hena ne me na? Ɛhefo ne me nuanom?”
Then Jesus said to the person who told him [that], “([I will tell you something about] my mother and brothers [MET].[/Do you know] who I [consider to be like] my mother and my brothers?)” [MET, RHQ]
49 Ɔkaa saa no, ɔde ne nsa kyerɛɛ nnipadɔm no ka kyerɛɛ nʼasuafo no se, “Eyinom ne me na ne me nuanom.”
He then pointed toward [us] disciples and said, “These are ones [whom I love as much as I love] my mother and my brothers [MET].
50 Ɔsan kaa bio se, “Obiara a ɔbɛyɛ mʼagya a ɔwɔ ɔsoro no apɛde no, ɔno ne me nuabarima, ne me nuabea ne me na.”
Those who do what [God] my Father [who is] in heaven wants, are [as dear to me] [MET] [as] my brother, my sister, or my mother.”
