Mmebusɛm 9
1 Nyansa asi ne fi; wasisi nʼafadum ason.
Wisdom has built a house for herself. She has hewn seven columns.
2 Wasiesie ne nam de afra ne nsa, wato ne pon.
She has immolated her victims. She has mixed her wine and set forth her table.
3 Wasoma ne mmaawa, na ɔfrɛ fi kuropɔn no sorɔnsorɔmmea hɔ se,
She has sent her maids to call out to the tower and to the fortified walls of the city,
4 “Momma ntetekwaafo nyinaa mmra ha!” Ɔka kyerɛ wɔn a wonni atemmu se,
“If anyone is little, let him come to me.” And to the unwise, she has said:
5 “Mommra mmedi mʼaduan na monnom nsa a mafra no.
“Approach. Eat my bread, and drink the wine that I have mixed for you.
6 Munnyaw mo ntetekwaasɛm no na mubenya nkwa; monnantew ntease akwan so.”
Leave behind childishness. And live and walk by the ways of prudence.”
7 Nea ɔteɛteɛ ɔfɛwdifo no frɛ ahohorabɔ; na nea ɔka amumɔyɛfo anim no nya ɔyaw.
Whoever teaches a mocker causes injury to himself. And whoever argues with the impious produces a blemish on himself.
8 Ɛno nti, nka ɔfɛwdifo anim na ɔmmɛtan wo; ka onyansafo anim na ɔbɛdɔ wo.
Do not be willing to argue with a mocker, lest he hate you. Dispute with the wise, and he will love you.
9 Ma onyansafo akwankyerɛ na ɔbɛkɔ so ahu nyansa; kyerɛkyerɛ ɔtreneeni na ɔde bɛka nʼadesua ho.
Present an opportunity to the wise, and wisdom shall be added to him. Teach the just, and he will hurry to receive it.
10 Awurade suro yɛ nyansa mfiase Ɔkronkronni no ho nimdeɛ yɛ ntease.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of holiness is prudence.
11 Me mu na wo nna bɛdɔɔso, na wɔde mfe bɛka wo nkwa ho.
For by me, your days will be multiplied and years of life will be added to you.
12 Sɛ woyɛ onyansafo a, wubenya wo nyansa so mfaso; sɛ woyɛ ɔfɛwdifo a, wo nko ara na wubehu amane.
If you would be wise, you will be so for yourself. But if you would be one who ridicules, you alone shall carry the evil.
13 Ɔbea ɔkwasea yɛ ɔkasafo; onni ahohyɛso na onni nimdeɛ.
A foolish and loud woman, who is full of enticements and who knows nothing at all,
14 Ɔte ne fi pon ano, na ɔte akongua a esi kuropɔn no sorɔnsorɔmmea,
sat at the entrance of her house on a seat, in a high place of the city,
15 na ɔfrɛfrɛ wɔn a wotwa mu wɔ hɔ, wɔn a wɔnam wɔn kwan so tee se,
so as to call to those who were passing by the way and continuing on their journey:
16 “Momma ntetekwaafo nyinaa mmra ha” ɔka kyerɛ wɔn a wonni atemmu se,
“Whoever is little, let him turn aside to me.” And to the frenzied, she said,
17 “Nsu a wowia no yɛ fremfrem na aduan a wodi no ahintawee no yɛ dɛ!”
“Stolen waters are more soothing, and secret bread is more pleasant.”
