Mmebusɛm 9
1 Nyansa asi ne fi; wasisi nʼafadum ason.
Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her pillars—seven.
2 Wasiesie ne nam de afra ne nsa, wato ne pon.
She has slaughtered her slaughter, She has mingled her wine, Indeed, she has arranged her table.
3 Wasoma ne mmaawa, na ɔfrɛ fi kuropɔn no sorɔnsorɔmmea hɔ se,
She has sent forth her girls, She cries on the tops of the high places of the city:
4 “Momma ntetekwaafo nyinaa mmra ha!” Ɔka kyerɛ wɔn a wonni atemmu se,
“Who [is] simple? Let him turn aside here.” Whoever lacks heart: she has said to him,
5 “Mommra mmedi mʼaduan na monnom nsa a mafra no.
“Come, eat of my bread, And drink of the wine I have mingled.
6 Munnyaw mo ntetekwaasɛm no na mubenya nkwa; monnantew ntease akwan so.”
Forsake the simple and live, And be blessed in the way of understanding.”
7 Nea ɔteɛteɛ ɔfɛwdifo no frɛ ahohorabɔ; na nea ɔka amumɔyɛfo anim no nya ɔyaw.
The instructor of a scorner Is receiving for it—shame, And a reprover of the wicked—his blemish.
8 Ɛno nti, nka ɔfɛwdifo anim na ɔmmɛtan wo; ka onyansafo anim na ɔbɛdɔ wo.
Do not reprove a scorner, lest he hate you, Give reproof to the wise, and he loves you.
9 Ma onyansafo akwankyerɛ na ɔbɛkɔ so ahu nyansa; kyerɛkyerɛ ɔtreneeni na ɔde bɛka nʼadesua ho.
Give to the wise, and he is wiser still, Make known to the righteous, And he increases learning.
10 Awurade suro yɛ nyansa mfiase Ɔkronkronni no ho nimdeɛ yɛ ntease.
The commencement of wisdom [is] the fear of YHWH, And a knowledge of the Holy Ones [is] understanding.
11 Me mu na wo nna bɛdɔɔso, na wɔde mfe bɛka wo nkwa ho.
For by me your days multiply, And years of life are 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 have been wise, you have been wise for yourself, And you have scorned—you bear [it] alone.
13 Ɔbea ɔkwasea yɛ ɔkasafo; onni ahohyɛso na onni nimdeɛ.
A foolish woman [is] noisy, Simple, and has not known what.
14 Ɔte ne fi pon ano, na ɔte akongua a esi kuropɔn no sorɔnsorɔmmea,
And she has sat at the opening of her house, On a throne—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 to those passing by the way, Who are going straight [on] their paths.
16 “Momma ntetekwaafo nyinaa mmra ha” ɔka kyerɛ wɔn a wonni atemmu se,
“Who [is] simple? Let him turn aside here.” And whoever lacks heart—she said to him,
17 “Nsu a wowia no yɛ fremfrem na aduan a wodi no ahintawee no yɛ dɛ!”
“Stolen waters are sweet, And hidden bread is pleasant.”
