Mmebusɛm 18
1 Ɔhonamkani yɛ pɛsɛmenkominya; na nea ɛmfa atɛntrenee mma no turuw ɔham.
He who separateth himself seeketh his own desire; Against all sound discretion he rusheth on.
2 Ɔkwasea nni nhumu ho anigye, na mmom nea ɔpɛ ara ne sɛ ɔde nʼadwene bɛto gua.
The fool hath no delight in understanding, But rather in revealing his own mind.
3 Sɛ amumɔyɛsɛm ba a animtiaabu di so, na aniwu nso di animguase akyi.
When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt; And with baseness, shame.
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 deep waters, And the wellspring of wisdom is an overflowing brook.
5 Enye sɛ wodi ma omumɔyɛfo anaasɛ wobu nea odi bem ntɛnkyew.
It is not good to be partial to the wicked, So as to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6 Nkwaseafo ano de akasakasa ba, na wɔn ano frɛfrɛ ɔhwe.
The lips of a fool enter into strife, And his mouth calleth for blows.
7 Nkwaseafo ano yɛ wɔn ara wɔn sɛe, na wɔn anofafa yɛ wɔn ara wɔn kra afiri.
A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are a snare for his life.
8 Osekuni ano asɛm te sɛ aduan a ɛyɛ dɛ; ɛhyɛnhyɛn onipa akwaa mu nyinaa.
The words of a talebearer are like sweet morsels; For they go down to the innermost parts of the body.
9 Nea ɔtoto nʼadwuma ase no yɛ ɔsɛefo nuabarima.
Moreover, he that is slothful in his work Is brother to him that is a great waster.
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 to it, and is safe.
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 honor is humility.
13 Nea ontie asɛm ansa na wama mmuae no, ɛno ne ne gyimi ne nʼanimguase.
He who answereth a matter before he hath heard it, It is folly and shame to 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 wounded spirit who can bear?
15 Nhumu koma nya nimdeɛ; na anyansafo aso nso hwehwɛ.
The heart of the intelligent will acquire knowledge, And the ear of the wise will seek knowledge.
16 Akyɛde bue kwan ma nea ɔde ma na ɛde no ba atitiriw anim.
A gift maketh room for a man, And bringeth him into the presence of the great.
17 Ɛyɛ nea ɔbɔ ne nkuro kan no sɛ nʼasɛm yɛ dɛ, kosi sɛ ɔfoforo bɛba abebisa no nsɛm no mu.
He that first pleadeth his cause appeareth just; But his opponent cometh, and searcheth him through.
18 Ntontobɔ twa akyinnyegye so, na ɛpata atamfo.
The lot causeth contentions to cease, And parteth asunder the mighty.
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; Yea, 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.
With the fruit of a man's mouth shall his stomach be filled; He shall be filled with the produce of his lips.
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; They that love it shall eat its fruit.
22 Nea wanya yere no anya ade pa na onya adom fi Awurade hɔ.
He that findeth a wife findeth a blessing, And obtaineth favor from the LORD.
23 Ohiani srɛ ahummɔbɔ, nanso ɔdefo de kasaden bua no.
The poor useth entreaties; But the rich answereth roughly.
24 Ɔbarima a ne nnamfonom dɔɔso betumi ahwe ase, nanso adamfo bi wɔ hɔ a ɔbɛfam ne ho asen onua.
A man of many friends will show himself false; Yet there is a friend who sticketh closer than a brother.
