Mmebusɛm 9
1 Nyansa asi ne fi; wasisi nʼafadum ason.
Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
2 Wasiesie ne nam de afra ne nsa, wato ne pon.
She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.
3 Wasoma ne mmaawa, na ɔfrɛ fi kuropɔn no sorɔnsorɔmmea hɔ se,
She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,
4 “Momma ntetekwaafo nyinaa mmra ha!” Ɔka kyerɛ wɔn a wonni atemmu se,
Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
5 “Mommra mmedi mʼaduan na monnom nsa a mafra no.
Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
6 Munnyaw mo ntetekwaasɛm no na mubenya nkwa; monnantew ntease akwan so.”
Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
7 Nea ɔteɛteɛ ɔfɛwdifo no frɛ ahohorabɔ; na nea ɔka amumɔyɛfo anim no nya ɔyaw.
He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: 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.
Reprove 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 instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
10 Awurade suro yɛ nyansa mfiase Ɔkronkronni no ho nimdeɛ yɛ ntease.
The fear of Yhwh is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
11 Me mu na wo nna bɛdɔɔso, na wɔde mfe bɛka wo nkwa ho.
For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
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 wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.
13 Ɔbea ɔkwasea yɛ ɔkasafo; onni ahohyɛso na onni nimdeɛ.
A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.
14 Ɔte ne fi pon ano, na ɔte akongua a esi kuropɔn no sorɔnsorɔmmea,
For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
15 na ɔfrɛfrɛ wɔn a wotwa mu wɔ hɔ, wɔn a wɔnam wɔn kwan so tee se,
To call passers-by who go right on their ways:
16 “Momma ntetekwaafo nyinaa mmra ha” ɔka kyerɛ wɔn a wonni atemmu se,
Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
17 “Nsu a wowia no yɛ fremfrem na aduan a wodi no ahintawee no yɛ dɛ!”
Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
