Mmebusɛm 18
1 Ɔhonamkani yɛ pɛsɛmenkominya; na nea ɛmfa atɛntrenee mma no turuw ɔham.
He that separateth himself seeketh his own desire, and snarlest against all sound wisdom.
2 Ɔkwasea nni nhumu ho anigye, na mmom nea ɔpɛ ara ne sɛ ɔde nʼadwene bɛto gua.
A fool hath no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may lay itself bare.
3 Sɛ amumɔyɛsɛm ba a animtiaabu di so, na aniwu nso di animguase akyi.
When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
4 Onipa anom nsɛm yɛ nsu a emu dɔ, na nyansa asuti yɛ asuwa a ɛrefi ahuru.
The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters; a flowing brook, a fountain of wisdom.
5 Enye sɛ wodi ma omumɔyɛfo anaasɛ wobu nea odi bem ntɛnkyew.
It is not good to respect the person of the wicked, so as to turn aside the righteous in judgment.
6 Nkwaseafo ano de akasakasa ba, na wɔn ano frɛfrɛ ɔhwe.
A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
7 Nkwaseafo ano yɛ wɔn ara wɔn sɛe, na wɔn anofafa yɛ wɔn ara wɔn kra afiri.
A fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 Osekuni ano asɛm te sɛ aduan a ɛyɛ dɛ; ɛhyɛnhyɛn onipa akwaa mu nyinaa.
The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
9 Nea ɔtoto nʼadwuma ase no yɛ ɔsɛefo nuabarima.
Even one that is slack in his work is brother to him that is a destroyer.
10 Awurade din yɛ abantenten a ɛyɛ den; ahotefo guan kɔtoa na wonya bammɔ.
The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is set up on high.
11 Adefo ahonyade ne wɔn kuropɔn a wɔabɔ ho ban wɔfa no sɛ ɔfasu tenten a wontumi mforo.
The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as a high wall in his own conceit.
12 Ansa na onipa bɛhwe ase no onya ahomaso koma, na ahobrɛase di anuonyam anim.
Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, and before honour goeth humility.
13 Nea ontie asɛm ansa na wama mmuae no, ɛno ne ne gyimi ne nʼanimguase.
He that giveth answer before he heareth, it is folly and confusion unto him.
14 Onipa honhom na ɛhyɛ no den wɔ ɔyare mu na honhom a abotow de, hena na ɔpɛ?
The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a broken spirit who can bear?
15 Nhumu koma nya nimdeɛ; na anyansafo aso nso hwehwɛ.
The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16 Akyɛde bue kwan ma nea ɔde ma na ɛde no ba atitiriw anim.
A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
17 Ɛyɛ nea ɔbɔ ne nkuro kan no sɛ nʼasɛm yɛ dɛ, kosi sɛ ɔfoforo bɛba abebisa no nsɛm no mu.
He that pleadeth his cause first seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him out.
18 Ntontobɔ twa akyinnyegye so, na ɛpata atamfo.
The lot causeth strife to cease, and parteth asunder the contentious.
19 Onua a wɔafom no no asɛm yɛ den sen kuropɔn a ɛwɔ bammɔ, akyinnyegye te sɛ abankɛse apon a wɔabram akyi.
A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city; and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20 Onipa anom asɛm so aba ma ɔyafunu mee, nnɔbae a nʼanofafa twa no mee no.
A man's belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; with the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied.
21 Tɛkrɛma kura nkwa ne owu tumi, na wɔn a wɔdɔ no no bedi nʼaba.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and they that indulge it shall eat the fruit thereof.
22 Nea wanya yere no anya ade pa na onya adom fi Awurade hɔ.
Whoso findeth a wife findeth a great good, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
23 Ohiani srɛ ahummɔbɔ, nanso ɔdefo de kasaden bua no.
The poor useth entreaties; but the rich answereth impudently.
24 Ɔbarima a ne nnamfonom dɔɔso betumi ahwe ase, nanso adamfo bi wɔ hɔ a ɔbɛfam ne ho asen onua.
There are friends that one hath to his own hurt; but there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
