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 fatlings; She hath mingled her wine; Yea, she hath furnished her table.
3 Wasoma ne mmaawa, na ɔfrɛ fi kuropɔn no sorɔnsorɔmmea hɔ se,
She hath sent forth her maidens; She crieth aloud upon 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 hither!” To him that is void of understanding she saith,
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 folly, and live! And go forward in the way of understanding!
7 Nea ɔteɛteɛ ɔfɛwdifo no frɛ ahohorabɔ; na nea ɔka amumɔyɛfo anim no nya ɔyaw.
“He who correcteth a scoffer Bringeth shame upon himself; And he who rebuketh the wicked Bringeth upon himself a stain.
8 Ɛno nti, nka ɔfɛwdifo anim na ɔmmɛtan wo; ka onyansafo anim na ɔbɛdɔ wo.
Rebuke not a scoffer, 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 righteous man, and he will increase his learning.
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 Most Holy is understanding.
11 Me mu na wo nna bɛdɔɔso, na wɔde mfe bɛka wo nkwa ho.
Yea, through 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 art wise, thou art wise for thyself; And if thou art a scoffer, thou alone must bear it.”
13 Ɔbea ɔkwasea yɛ ɔkasafo; onni ahohyɛso na onni nimdeɛ.
The foolish woman is clamorous; She is very simple, and careth for nothing.
14 Ɔte ne fi pon ano, na ɔte akongua a esi kuropɔn no sorɔnsorɔmmea,
She sitteth at the door of her house, Upon 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 aloud to those that pass by, Who go straight forward in their ways,
16 “Momma ntetekwaafo nyinaa mmra ha” ɔka kyerɛ wɔn a wonni atemmu se,
“Whoever is simple, let him turn in hither!” And to him that is void of understanding she saith,
17 “Nsu a wowia no yɛ fremfrem na aduan a wodi no ahintawee no yɛ dɛ!”
“Stolen water is sweet, And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
