Mmebusɛm 9
1 Nyansa asi ne fi; wasisi nʼafadum ason.
Wisdom hath built herself a house, she hath hewn her out seven pillars.
2 Wasiesie ne nam de afra ne nsa, wato ne pon.
She hath slain her victims, mingled her wine, and set forth her table.
3 Wasoma ne mmaawa, na ɔfrɛ fi kuropɔn no sorɔnsorɔmmea hɔ se,
She hath sent her maids to invite to the tower, and to the walls of the city:
4 “Momma ntetekwaafo nyinaa mmra ha!” Ɔka kyerɛ wɔn a wonni atemmu se,
Whosoever is a little one, let him come to me. And to the unwise she said:
5 “Mommra mmedi mʼaduan na monnom nsa a mafra no.
Come, eat my bread, and drink the wine which I have mingled for you.
6 Munnyaw mo ntetekwaasɛm no na mubenya nkwa; monnantew ntease akwan so.”
Forsake 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.
He that teacheth a scorner, doth an injury to himself: and he that rebuketh a wicked man, getteth himself a blot.
8 Ɛno nti, nka ɔfɛwdifo anim na ɔmmɛtan wo; ka onyansafo anim na ɔbɛdɔ wo.
Rebuke not a scorner lest he hate thee. Rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
9 Ma onyansafo akwankyerɛ na ɔbɛkɔ so ahu nyansa; kyerɛkyerɛ ɔtreneeni na ɔde bɛka nʼadesua ho.
Give an occasion to a wise man, and wisdom shall be added to him. Teach a just man, and he shall make haste 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 the knowledge of the holy is prudence.
11 Me mu na wo nna bɛdɔɔso, na wɔde mfe bɛka wo nkwa ho.
For by me shall thy days be multiplied, and years of life shall be added to thee.
12 Sɛ woyɛ onyansafo a, wubenya wo nyansa so mfaso; sɛ woyɛ ɔfɛwdifo a, wo nko ara na wubehu amane.
If thou be wise, thou shalt be so to thyself: and if a scorner, thou alone shalt bear the evil.
13 Ɔbea ɔkwasea yɛ ɔkasafo; onni ahohyɛso na onni nimdeɛ.
A foolish woman and clamorous, and full of allurements, and knowing nothing at all,
14 Ɔte ne fi pon ano, na ɔte akongua a esi kuropɔn no sorɔnsorɔmmea,
Sat at the door of her house, upon 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,
To call them that pass by the way, and go on their journey:
16 “Momma ntetekwaafo nyinaa mmra ha” ɔka kyerɛ wɔn a wonni atemmu se,
He that is a little one, let him turn to me. And to the fool she said:
17 “Nsu a wowia no yɛ fremfrem na aduan a wodi no ahintawee no yɛ dɛ!”
Stolen waters are sweeter, and hid den bread is more pleasant.
