Mmebusɛm 12
1 Obiara a ɔpɛ ahohyɛso no pɛ nimdeɛ, na nea okyi nteɛso no yɛ ogyimifo.
He that loves instruction loves sense, but he that hates reproofs is a fool.
2 Nnipa pa nya Awurade nkyɛn adom, na Awurade bu amumɔyɛfo fɔ.
He that has found favour with the Lord [is made] better; but a transgressor shall be passed over in silence.
3 Amumɔyɛsɛm rentumi mma onipa ase ntim, na wɔrentumi ntu ɔtreneeni ase.
A man shall not prosper by wickedness; but the roots of the righteous shall not be taken up.
4 Ɔyere a ɔwɔ suban pa yɛ ne kunu ahenkyɛw, nanso ɔyere nimguasefo te sɛ porɔwee wɔ ne kunu nnompe mu.
A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband; but as a worm in wood, so a bad woman destroys her husband.
5 Atreneefo nhyehyɛe yɛ pɛ, na amumɔyɛfo afotu yɛ nnaadaa.
The thoughts of the righteous [are true] judgements; but ungodly men devise deceits.
6 Amumɔyɛfo nsɛm da hɔ twɛn mogya, na ɔtreneeni kasa yi wɔn fi mu.
The words of ungodly men are crafty; but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
7 Wotu amumɔyɛfo gu na wɔyera, nanso atreneefo fi gyina pintinn.
When the ungodly is overthrown, he vanishes away; but the houses of the just remain.
8 Wɔkamfo onipa sɛnea ne nyansa te na nnipa a wɔn adwene yɛ kɔntɔnkye de, wobu wɔn animtiaa.
The mouth of an understanding [man] is praised by a man; but he that is dull of heart is had in derision.
9 Eye sɛ wobɛyɛ wo ho sɛ ɔteta nanso wowɔ ɔsomfo, sen sɛ wobɛyɛ wo ho sɛ obi, nanso wunni aduan.
Better is a man in dishonour serving himself, than one honouring himself and lacking bread.
10 Ɔtreneeni ma ne nyɛmmoa nea wɔpɛ, na amumɔyɛfo nneyɛe a eye pa ara yɛ atirimɔden.
A righteous man has pity for the lives of his cattle; but the bowels of the ungodly are unmerciful.
11 Nea ɔyɛ nʼasase so adwuma no benya aduan bebree, na nea odi nsɛm huhuw akyi no nni adwene.
He that tills his own land shall be satisfied with bread; but they that pursue vanities are void of understanding. He that enjoys himself in banquets of wine, shall leave dishonour in his own strong holds.
12 Amumɔyɛfo pɛ abɔnefo asade, nanso ɔtreneeni ase dɔ.
The desires of the ungodly are evil; but the roots of the godly are firmly set.
13 Ɔbɔnefo anosɛm yi no sɛ afiri, nanso ɔtreneeni nya ne ho tetew wɔ ahohia mu.
For the sin of [his] lips a sinner falls into snare; but a righteous man escapes from them. He whose looks are gentle shall be pitied, but he that contends in the gates will afflict souls.
14 Nneɛma pa fi onipa anom aba mu hyɛ no ma sɛnea ne nsa ano adwuma ma no akatua no.
The soul of a man shall be filled with good from the fruits of his mouth; and the recompence of his lips shall be given to him.
15 Ɔkwasea akwan teɛ nʼani so, na onyansafo tie afotu.
The ways of fools are right in their own eyes; but a wise man hearkens to counsels.
16 Nkwaseafo bo nkyɛ fuw, nanso mmadwemma bu wɔn ani gu animka so.
A fool declares his wrath the same day; but a prudent man hides his own disgrace.
17 Ɔdanseni nokwafo di adanse turodoo, na nea odi adansekurum no twa nkontompo.
A righteous man declares the open truth; but an unjust witness is deceitful.
18 Nsɛm hunu keka wowɔ te sɛ afoa nanso onyansafo tɛkrɛma ma abodwo.
Some wound as they speak, [like] swords; but the tongues of the wise heal.
19 Ano a ɛka nokware no tim hɔ daa, na atoro tɛkrɛma renkyɛ koraa.
True lips establish testimony; but a hasty witness has an unjust tongue.
20 Nnaadaa hyɛ wɔn a wodwen bɔne ho no koma mu, na wɔn a wɔpɛ asomdwoe nya ahosɛpɛw.
[There is] deceit in the heart of him that imagines evil; but they that love peace shall rejoice.
21 Ɔhaw biara rento ɔtreneeni, nanso amanehunu mee amumɔyɛfo.
No injustice will please a just man; but the ungodly will be filled with mischief.
22 Awurade kyi ano a etwa atoro, na nʼani gye nnipa a wodi nokware ho.
Lying lips are a abomination to the Lord; but he that deals faithfully is accepted with him.
23 Ɔtreneeni mmɔ ne nimdeɛ ho dawuru nanso ɔkwasea koma da agyimisɛm adi.
An understanding man is a throne of wisdom; but the heart of fools shall meet with curses.
24 Nsa a ɛyɛ adwuma no bedi tumi, nanso akwadworɔ wie nkoasom mu.
The hand of chosen men shall easily obtain rule; but the deceitful shall be for a prey.
25 Koma a ɛpere ade ho ma onipa botow, nanso nkuranhyɛsɛm bi hyɛ no den.
A terrible word troubles the heart of a righteous man; but a good message rejoices him.
26 Ɔtreneeni wɔ ntoboase wɔ ayɔnkofa mu, nanso amumɔyɛfo kwan ma wɔfom.
A just arbitrator shall be his own friend; but mischief shall pursue sinners; and the way of ungodly men shall lead them astray.
27 Onihawfo ntoto ne hanam, nanso nsiyɛfo ahonyade som bo ma wɔn.
A deceitful man shall catch no game; but a blameless man is a precious possession.
28 Trenee kwan mu wɔ nkwa; na owu nni saa kwan no so.
In the ways of righteousness is life; but the ways of those that remember injuries [lead] to death.
