Mmebusɛm 9
1 Nyansa asi ne fi; wasisi nʼafadum ason.
Wisdom has built her house. She has set up her seven pillars.
2 Wasiesie ne nam de afra ne nsa, wato ne pon.
She has prepared her meat. She has mixed her wine. She has also set her table.
3 Wasoma ne mmaawa, na ɔfrɛ fi kuropɔn no sorɔnsorɔmmea hɔ se,
She has sent out her maidens. She cries from the highest places of the city:
4 “Momma ntetekwaafo nyinaa mmra ha!” Ɔka kyerɛ wɔn a wonni atemmu se,
"Whoever is simple, let him turn in here." As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
5 “Mommra mmedi mʼaduan na monnom nsa a mafra no.
"Come, eat some of my bread, Drink some of the wine which I have mixed.
6 Munnyaw mo ntetekwaasɛm no na mubenya nkwa; monnantew ntease akwan so.”
Leave your simple ways, and live. Walk in the way of understanding."
7 Nea ɔteɛteɛ ɔfɛwdifo no frɛ ahohorabɔ; na nea ɔka amumɔyɛfo anim no nya ɔyaw.
He who corrects a mocker invites insult. He who reproves a wicked man invites abuse.
8 Ɛno nti, nka ɔfɛwdifo anim na ɔmmɛtan wo; ka onyansafo anim na ɔbɛdɔ wo.
Do not reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you. Reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
9 Ma onyansafo akwankyerɛ na ɔbɛkɔ so ahu nyansa; kyerɛkyerɛ ɔtreneeni na ɔde bɛka nʼadesua ho.
Instruct a wise man, and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
10 Awurade suro yɛ nyansa mfiase Ɔkronkronni no ho nimdeɛ yɛ ntease.
The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 Me mu na wo nna bɛdɔɔso, na wɔde mfe bɛka wo nkwa ho.
For by me your days will be multiplied. The years of your life will be increased.
12 Sɛ woyɛ onyansafo a, wubenya wo nyansa so mfaso; sɛ woyɛ ɔfɛwdifo a, wo nko ara na wubehu amane.
If you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.
13 Ɔbea ɔkwasea yɛ ɔkasafo; onni ahohyɛso na onni nimdeɛ.
The foolish woman is loud, Undisciplined, and knows nothing.
14 Ɔte ne fi pon ano, na ɔte akongua a esi kuropɔn no sorɔnsorɔmmea,
She sits 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 to those who pass by, who go straight on their ways,
16 “Momma ntetekwaafo nyinaa mmra ha” ɔka kyerɛ wɔn a wonni atemmu se,
"Whoever is simple, let him turn in here." as for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
17 “Nsu a wowia no yɛ fremfrem na aduan a wodi no ahintawee no yɛ dɛ!”
"Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant."
