Mmebusɛm 22
1 Din pa ye sen ahonya bebrebe; sɛ wobedi wo ni ye sen dwetɛ anaa sikakɔkɔɔ.
A good reputation is a much better choice than plenty of money; respect is better than silver and gold.
2 Ɔdefo ne ohiani wɔ ade baako, Awurade ne wɔn nyinaa Yɛfo.
The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord created them all.
3 Onitefo hu amanehunu a ɛreba na ohintaw ne ho, nanso atetekwaa kɔ nʼanim konya amane.
If you're sensible you see danger coming and get out of the way; but stupid people just keep going and pay for it.
4 Ahobrɛase ne Awuradesuro ɛma ahonya ne anuonyam ne nkwa.
The reward you receive for being humble and respecting the Lord is wealth, honor, and life.
5 Nsɔe ne mfiri wɔ amumɔyɛfo akwan so, nanso nea ɔbɔ ne kra ho ban no mmɛn ho.
Thorns and traps lie in the path of crooked people; those who value their lives will stay away from them.
6 Kyerɛ abofra ɔkwan a ɔmfa so, na sɛ onyin a ɔremfi so.
Teach children the right way to live, and when they grow up they'll go on doing so.
7 Adefo di ahiafo so, na boseagyefo yɛ nea ɔde fɛm somfo.
The rich rule the poor, and borrowers are slaves to their lenders.
8 Nea odua amumɔyɛsɛm no twa ɔhaw na wɔbɛsɛe nʼabufuwhyew abaa.
Those who sow injustice will reap disaster, and the angry beatings they inflict on others will be stopped.
9 Ɔyamyefo benya nhyira efisɛ ɔne ahiafo kyɛ nʼaduan.
If you're generous, you'll be blessed, for you share your food with those in need.
10 Pam ɔfɛwdifo na basabasayɛ nso bɛkɔ; ntɔkwaw ne animka to atwa.
Get rid of the scornful, and you'll get rid of conflict too—no more arguments or insults!
11 Obi a ɔdɔ koma a mu tew na ne kasa ho yɛ nyam no, benya ɔhene afa no adamfo.
Anyone who loves sincerity and a gracious way of speaking will have the king as their friend.
12 Awurade ani wɛn nimdeɛ, na ɔsɛe ɔtorofo nsɛm.
The Lord watches over true knowledge, but counteracts the words of liars.
13 Ɔkwadwofo ka se, “Gyata bi wɔ mfikyiri hɔ!” anaasɛ, “Wobekum me wɔ mmɔnten so.”
Lazy people make claims like, “There's a lion outside! I might be killed if I go out there!”
14 Ɔbea waresɛefo anom yɛ amoa donkudonku; nea ɔhyɛ Awurade abufuw ase no bɛtɔ mu.
The seductive words of an immoral woman are a dangerous trap—if the Lord's angry with you, then you'll fall right in.
15 Agyimisɛm kyekyere abofra koma ho, nanso nteɛso abaa bɛpam no akɔ akyiri.
Children are naturally foolish; physical correction helps them to see sense.
16 Obi besisi ohiani de apɛ ahonya, anaa ɔbɛkyɛ ɔdefo ade, ne nyinaa de no kɔ ohia mu.
If you oppress the poor to make yourself rich, or if you're generous to the rich, you'll end up poor yourself.
17 Yɛ aso na tie anyansasɛm yi; fa wo koma di me nkyerɛkyerɛ akyi,
Pay attention and listen to the words of the wise, and think carefully about my teachings—
18 efisɛ eye sɛ wokora saa nsɛm yi wɔ wo koma mu, na ne nyinaa ada wʼano.
for it's good to keep them in mind so you can be ready to share them.
19 Sɛ ɛbɛyɛ a wode wo ho bɛto Awurade so, merekyerɛkyerɛ wo nnɛ, yiw ɛyɛ wo.
I'm explaining this to you today so you can trust in the Lord—yes, you!
20 Menkyerɛw mmɛ aduasa mmaa wo, nea ɛyɛ afotusɛm ne nimdeɛ,
Haven't I written down for you thirty sayings of advice and wisdom?
21 a ɛkyerɛkyerɛ wo nokware ne nea akyinnye nni ho, sɛnea wubenya mmuae pa ama nea ɔsomaa wo no ana?
They are to make it clear to you what's right and true, so you can give a truthful explanation to those who sent you.
22 Mmɔ ahiafo korɔn, sɛ wɔyɛ ahiafo nti, na nsisi wɔn a wonni bi wɔ asennii,
For you shouldn't steal from the poor just because they're poor; and you shouldn't crush those with limited means in court,
23 efisɛ Awurade bedi wɔn asɛm ama wɔn, na wafom afa wɔn a wɔfom ahiafo fa.
for the Lord will plead their case, and he will take back whatever was stolen from them.
24 Mfa obi a ne koma yɛ den no adamfo, na mfa wo ho mmɔ nea ne bo nkyɛ fuw,
Don't make friends with someone who gets upset easily; don't associate with angry people,
25 anyɛ saa a, wubesua nʼakwan na woakɔtɔ afiri mu.
in case you learn to be like them and make a mess of your life.
26 Nyɛ nea ɔde ne nsa hyɛ krataa ase di akagyinamu anaasɛ odi akagyinamu;
Don't shake hands and guarantee someone's debt,
27 na sɛ wunni nea wɔde tua a wobehuam wo mpa mpo afi wʼase.
for if you can't pay, why should your bed be taken away from beneath you?
28 Ntutu tete abo a wɔde ato hye, nea wo nenanom de sisii hɔ no.
Don't move ancient boundary markers that your forefathers put in place.
29 Wuhu obi a ne nsa akokwaw nʼadwuma ho ana? Ahemfo anim na ɔbɛsom, na ɔrensom wɔ mpapahwekwa anim.
If you see someone skilled in what they do, they'll work for kings and not for ordinary people.
