Mmebusɛm 28
1 Omumɔyɛfo guan bere a obiara ntaa no, nanso atreneefo koko yɛ duru sɛ gyata.
The evil man goes running away when no man is after him, but the upright are without fear, like the lion.
2 Atuatewman nya sodifo pii, nanso onipa a ɔwɔ nhumu ne nimdeɛ ma mmara yɛ adwuma.
Because of the sin of the land, its troubles are increased; but by a man of wisdom and knowledge they will be put out like a fire.
3 Sodifo a ɔhyɛ ahiafo so no te sɛ osu mu ahum a ennyaw nnɔbae bi wɔ akyi.
A man of wealth who is cruel to the poor is like a violent rain causing destruction of food.
4 Wɔn a wɔpo mmara no kamfo amumɔyɛfo, na wɔn a wodi mmara so no siw wɔn kwan.
Those who have no respect for the law give praise to the evil-doer; but such as keep the law are against him.
5 Abɔnefo nte atɛntrenee ase, nanso wɔn a wɔhwehwɛ Awurade no, te ase yiye.
Evil men have no knowledge of what is right; but those who go after the Lord have knowledge of all things.
6 Ohiani a ne nantew ho nni asɛm ye sen ɔdefo a nʼakwan yɛ kɔntɔnkye.
Better is the poor man whose ways are upright, than the man of wealth whose ways are not straight.
7 Nea odi mmara so yɛ ɔba a ɔwɔ nhumu, nanso nea ɔne adidibradafo bɔ no gu nʼagya anim ase.
He who keeps the law is a wise son, but he who keeps company with feasters puts shame on his father.
8 Nea ogye mfɛntom mmoroso de nya ne ho no, ɔboaboa ano ma nea ɔbɛyɛ ahiafo adɔe.
He who makes his wealth greater by taking interest, only gets it together for him who has pity on the poor.
9 Sɛ obi nni mmara so a, ne mpaebɔ mpo yɛ akyiwade.
As for the man whose ear is turned away from hearing the law, even his prayer is disgusting.
10 Nea odi atreneefo anim de wɔn fa ɔkwan bɔne so no bɛhwe ɔno ankasa afiri mu, nanso wɔn a wɔn ho nni asɛm no benya agyapade a eye.
Anyone causing the upright to go wandering in an evil way, will himself go down into the hole he has made; but the upright will have good things for their heritage.
11 Ɔdefo tumi yɛ onyansafo wɔ nʼankasa ani so, nanso ohiani a ɔwɔ nhumu no hu sɛnea ɔte.
The man of wealth seems to himself to be wise, but the poor man who has sense has a low opinion of him.
12 Sɛ atreneefo di nkonim a, nnipa di ahurusi pii; nanso sɛ amumɔyɛfo nya tumi a nnipa kohintaw.
When the upright do well, there is great glory; but when evil-doers are lifted up, men do not let themselves be seen.
13 Onipa a ɔkata ne bɔne so no nnya nkɔso, na nea ɔka ne bɔne na ogyae yɛ no nya ahummɔbɔ.
He who keeps his sins secret will not do well; but one who is open about them, and gives them up, will get mercy.
14 Nhyira nka nea osuro Awurade bere nyinaa, nanso nea opirim ne koma no tɔ amane mu.
Happy is the man in whom is the fear of the Lord at all times; but he whose heart is hard will come into trouble.
15 Omumɔyɛfo a odi nnipa a wonni mmoa so no te sɛ gyata a ɔbobɔ mu anaa sisi a nʼani abere.
Like a loud-voiced lion and a wandering bear, is an evil ruler over a poor people.
16 Ɔsodifo tirimɔdenfo nni adwene, na nea okyi mfaso a wɔnam ɔkwan bɔne so nya no benya nkwa tenten.
The prince who has no sense is a cruel ruler; but he who has no desire to get profit for himself will have long life.
17 Nea awudi ma ne tiboa bu no fɔ no bɛyɛ ɔkobɔfo akosi ne wu da; wɔmma obiara nsiw no kwan.
One who has been the cause of a man's death will go in flight to the underworld: let no man give him help.
18 Nea ne nantew ho nni asɛm no, wogye no fi ɔhaw mu, nanso nea nʼakwan yɛ kɔntɔnkye no bɛhwe ase mpofirim.
He whose ways are upright will be safe, but sudden will be the fall of him whose ways are twisted.
19 Nea ɔyɛ nʼasase so adwuma no benya aduan pii, nanso wɔn a wodi nnaadaasɛm akyi no benya wɔn so ne wɔn hia.
By ploughing his land a man will have bread in full measure; but he who goes after good-for-nothing persons will be poor enough.
20 Wobehyira onipa nokwafo pii, na nea ɔpere pɛ ahonyade no remfa ne ho nni.
A man of good faith will have great blessing, but one attempting to get wealth quickly will not go free from punishment.
21 Nhwɛanim nye, nanso aduan kakraa bi nti nnipa bɛyɛ bɔne.
It is not good to have respect for a man's position: for a man will do wrong for a bit of bread.
22 Nea ɔyɛ pɛpɛe pere sɛ ɔbɛyɛ ɔdefo na onnim sɛ ohia retwɛn no.
He who is ever desiring wealth goes running after money, and does not see that need will come on him.
23 Nea ɔka obi anim no bɛsɔ nnipa ani akyiri no asen nea ɔwɔ tɛkrɛmadɛ.
He who says words of protest to a man will later have more approval than one who says smooth words with his tongue.
24 Nea ɔbɔ nʼagya anaa ne na korɔn na ɔka se, “Ɛnyɛ bɔne no,” ɔne ɔsɛefo na ɛbɔ.
He who takes from his father or his mother what is theirs by right, and says, It is no sin; is the same as a taker of life.
25 Odifudepɛfo de mpaapaemu ba na nea ɔde ne ho to Awurade so no benya nkɔso.
He who is ever desiring profit is a cause of fighting; but he who puts his faith in the Lord will be made fat.
26 Nea ogye ne ho di no yɛ ɔkwasea, na nea ɔnantew nyansa mu no wobegye no.
He whose faith is in himself is foolish; but everyone walking wisely will be kept safe.
27 Nea ɔma ahiafo no, hwee renhia no, nanso nea obu nʼani gu wɔn so no nya nnome pii.
He who gives to the poor will never be in need, but great curses will be on him who gives no attention to them.
28 Sɛ amumɔyɛfo nya tumi a, nnipa kohintaw; na sɛ amumɔyɛfo ase tɔre a, atreneefo ase dɔ.
When evil-doers are lifted up, men take cover; but when destruction overtakes them, the upright are increased.
