Mmebusɛm 9
1 Nyansa asi ne fi; wasisi nʼafadum ason.
Wisdom hath built her house; she hath hewn out her seven pillars;
2 Wasiesie ne nam de afra ne nsa, wato ne pon.
She hath killed her cattle; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also set in order her table.
3 Wasoma ne mmaawa, na ɔfrɛ fi kuropɔn no sorɔnsorɔmmea hɔ se,
She hath sent forth her maidens: she inviteth [her guests] upon the top of the highest places of the town.
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 is void of sense, 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 simplicity, and live; and go onward on the way of understanding.
7 Nea ɔteɛteɛ ɔfɛwdifo no frɛ ahohorabɔ; na nea ɔka amumɔyɛfo anim no nya ɔyaw.
He that correcteth a scorner acquireth for himself abuse; and he that reproveth the wicked getteth himself a blemish.
8 Ɛno nti, nka ɔfɛwdifo anim na ɔmmɛtan wo; ka onyansafo anim na ɔbɛdɔ wo.
Do not correct a scorner, lest he hate thee: reprove 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 to the wise [instruction], and he will become yet wiser: impart knowledge to the righteous, and he will increase his information.
10 Awurade suro yɛ nyansa mfiase Ɔkronkronni no ho nimdeɛ yɛ ntease.
The commencement of wisdom is the fear of the Lord; and the knowledge of the Most Holy One is understanding.
11 Me mu na wo nna bɛdɔɔso, na wɔde mfe bɛka wo nkwa ho.
For through me shall thy days be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased unto thee.
12 Sɛ woyɛ onyansafo a, wubenya wo nyansa so mfaso; sɛ woyɛ ɔfɛwdifo a, wo nko ara na wubehu amane.
If thou art become wise, thou art wise for thyself; but if thou art a scorner, thou alone wilt have to bear it.”
13 Ɔbea ɔkwasea yɛ ɔkasafo; onni ahohyɛso na onni nimdeɛ.
The woman of folly is noisy: she is simple, and knoweth not what [to do].
14 Ɔte ne fi pon ano, na ɔte akongua a esi kuropɔn no sorɔnsorɔmmea,
And she sitteth at the door of her house, upon a chair in the high places of the town.
15 na ɔfrɛfrɛ wɔn a wotwa mu wɔ hɔ, wɔn a wɔnam wɔn kwan so tee se,
To call the wayfarers who go straight forward on their paths.
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 is void of sense, 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 of secrecy is pleasant.”
