Mmebusɛm 3
1 Me ba, mma wo werɛ mfi me nkyerɛkyerɛ, kora me mmara wɔ wo koma mu,
My son, do not forget my commands and keep my teachings in your heart,
2 na ɛbɛma wo nkwa aware, mfe bebree na ɛde yiyedi abrɛ wo.
for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.
3 Mma adɔe ne nokware mmfi wo nkyɛn fa yan wo kɔn mu kyerɛw gu wo koma pon so.
Do not let covenant faithfulness and trustworthiness ever leave you, tie them together about your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Na wubenya adom ne din pa wɔ Onyankopɔn ne nnipa anim.
Then you will find favor and a good reputation in the sight of God and man.
5 Fa wo koma nyinaa to Awurade so, na mfa wo ho nto wʼankasa ntease so;
Trust in Yahweh with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding;
6 hu no wʼakwan nyinaa mu, na ɔbɛteɛ wʼakwan.
in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.
7 Nnye wo ho nni sɛ woyɛ onyansafo; suro Awurade na kyi bɔne.
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear Yahweh and turn away from evil.
8 Ɛde ahoɔden bɛbrɛ wo nipadua, na ayɛ aduan ama wo nnompe.
It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment for your body.
9 Fa wʼahonya hyɛ Awurade anuonyam, ne wo nnɔbae a edi kan nyinaa;
Honor Yahweh with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce,
10 na ɛno na ɛbɛma wo pata ayɛ ma abu so, na nsa foforo abu afa wʼahina so.
and your storehouses will be filled up and your vats will be bursting, full of new wine.
11 Me ba, sɛ Awurade teɛ wo so a, tie no yiye, na mmu nʼanimka so,
My son, do not despise Yahweh's instruction and do not hate his rebuke,
12 Efisɛ, obiara a Awurade pɛ nʼasɛm no, ɔtwe nʼaso, sɛnea agya teɛ ɔba a ɔdɔ no no.
for Yahweh disciplines those he loves, as a father deals with a son who pleases him.
13 Nhyira nka onipa a ohu nyansa, onipa a onya ntease,
The one who finds wisdom is blessed; he also gets understanding.
14 efisɛ, nimdeɛ so mfaso sen dwetɛ, na nea efi mu ba sen sikakɔkɔɔ.
What you gain from wisdom is better than what silver will give in return and its profit is better than gold.
15 Ne bo yɛ den sen bota; na worentumi mfa wʼapɛde biara ntoto no ho.
Wisdom is more precious than jewels and nothing you desire can compare to her.
16 Nkwa tenten wɔ ne nsa nifa mu; ahonyade ne anuonyam wɔ ne nsa benkum mu.
She has length of days in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Nʼakwan yɛ ahomeka, na nʼanammɔnkwan nyinaa yɛ asomdwoe.
Her ways are ways of kindness and all her paths are peace.
18 Ɔyɛ nkwadua ma wɔn a woso ne mu; wɔn a wokura no mu no benya nhyira.
She is a tree of life to those who take hold of it, those who hold on to it are happy.
19 Nyansa mu na Awurade yɛɛ asase fapem, na ntease mu na ɔde ɔsoro tim hɔ.
By wisdom Yahweh founded the earth, by understanding he established the heavens.
20 Efi ne nimdeɛ mu na ɔkyekyɛɛ ebun mu, na omununkum nso tɔɔ obosu.
By his knowledge the depths broke open and the clouds dropped their dew.
21 Me ba, fa atemmu pa ne nhumu sie, na mma emfi wʼani so;
My son, keep sound judgment and discernment, and do not lose sight of them.
22 ɛbɛyɛ nkwa ama wo, nnwinne a ɛma wo kɔn anuonyam wie pɛyɛ.
They will be life to your soul and an adornment of favor to wear around your neck.
23 Afei wo kwan so bɛyɛ wo dwoodwoo, na wo nan renhintiw;
Then you will walk on your way in safety and your foot will not stumble;
24 sɛ woda a worensuro; sɛ woda a wʼani bekum.
when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Nsuro mpofirim amanehunu anaa ɔsɛe a ɛba amumɔyɛfo so,
Do not be afraid of sudden terror or devastation caused by the wicked, when it comes,
26 efisɛ Awurade bɛwɔ wʼafa na ɔbɛkora wo nan afi afiri mu.
for Yahweh will be on your side and will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.
27 Mfa ade pa nkame wɔn a wɔfata, bere a tumi wɔ wo nsam.
Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.
28 Nka nkyerɛ wo yɔnko se: “Kɔ na bra; mede bɛma wo ɔkyena” wɔ bere a wowɔ no saa bere no.
Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give it,” when you have the money with you.
29 Mpam ɔhaw mma wo yɔnko bere a ɔne wo te yiye.
Do not make a plan to harm your neighbor— the one who lives close and trusts you.
30 Mmɔ obi sobo kwa bere a ɔnyɛɛ wo bɔne biara ɛ.
Do not argue with a person without a reason, when he has done nothing to harm you.
31 Mma wʼani mmere basabasayɛfo, na mfa nʼakwan no mu biara,
Do not envy a violent person or choose any of his ways.
32 efisɛ Awurade kyi basabasayɛfo na ɔde ne werɛ hyɛ ɔtreneeni mu.
For the devious person is detestable to Yahweh, but he brings the upright person into his confidence.
33 Awurade nnome wɔ omumɔyɛfo fi so, na ohyira ɔtreneeni fi.
The curse of Yahweh is on the house of the wicked person, but he blesses the home of righteous people.
34 Odi fɛwdifo a wɔyɛ ahantan no ho fɛw, na ɔdom ahobrɛasefo ne wɔn a wɔhyɛ wɔn so no.
He mocks mockers, but he gives his favor to humble people.
35 Anyansafo benya anuonyam adi, nanso nkwaseafo de, ɔma wɔn anim gu ase.
Wise people inherit honor, but fools will be lifted up in their shame.
