Mmɛbusɛm 12
1 Obiara a ɔpɛ ahohyɛsoɔ no pɛ nimdeɛ, na deɛ ɔkyiri ntenesoɔ no yɛ ogyimifoɔ.
He that loves instruction loves sense, but he that hates reproofs is a fool.
2 Onipa pa nya Awurade nkyɛn adom, na Awurade bu onifirani fɔ.
He that has found favor with the Lord [is made] better; but a transgressor shall be passed over in silence.
3 Amumuyɛsɛm rentumi mma onipa ase ntim, na wɔrentumi nntu ɔteneneeni ase.
A man shall not prosper by wickedness; but the roots of the righteous shall not be taken up.
4 Ɔyere a ɔwɔ suban pa yɛ ne kunu ahenkyɛ, nanso ɔyere animguasefoɔ te sɛ porɔeɛ wɔ ne kunu nnompe mu.
A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband; but as a worm in wood, so a bad woman destroys her husband.
5 Teneneefoɔ nhyehyɛeɛ yɛ pɛ, na amumuyɛfoɔ afotuo yɛ nnaadaa.
The thoughts of the righteous [are true] judgments; but ungodly men devise deceits.
6 Amumuyɛfoɔ nsɛm da hɔ twɛn mogya, na ɔteneneeni kasa yi wɔn firi mu.
The words of ungodly men are crafty; but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
7 Wɔtu amumuyɛfoɔ gu na wɔyera, nanso teneneefoɔ fie gyina pintinn.
When the ungodly is overthrown, he vanishes away; but the houses of the just remain.
8 Wɔkamfo onipa sɛdeɛ ne nyansa teɛ na nnipa a wɔn adwene yɛ kɔntɔnkye deɛ, wɔbu wɔn animtiaa.
The mouth of an understanding [man] is praised by a man; but he that is dull of heart is had in derision.
9 Ɛyɛ sɛ wobɛyɛ wo ho sɛ ɔteta a nso wowɔ ɔsomfoɔ, sene sɛ wobɛyɛ wo ho sɛ obi, nanso wonni aduane.
Better is a man in dishonor serving himself, than one honouring himself and lacking bread.
10 Ɔteneneeni ma nʼayɛmmoa deɛ wɔpɛ, na amumuyɛfoɔ nneyɛɛ a ɛyɛ pa ara yɛ atirimuɔden.
A righteous man has pity for the lives of his cattle; but the bowels of the ungodly are unmerciful.
11 Deɛ ɔyɛ nʼasase so adwuma no bɛnya aduane bebree, na deɛ ɔdi nsɛm huhuo akyi no nni adwene.
He that tills his own land shall be satisfied with bread; but they that pursue vanities are void of understanding. He that enjoys himself in banquets of wine, shall leave dishonor in his own strong holds.
12 Amumuyɛfoɔ pɛ abɔnefoɔ afodeɛ, nanso ɔteneneeni ase dɔre.
The desires of the ungodly are evil; but the roots of the godly are firmly set.
13 Ɔbɔnefoɔ anosɛm yi no sɛ afidie, nanso ɔteneneeni nya ne ho tete wɔ ahohiahia mu.
For the sin of [his] lips a sinner falls into snare; but a righteous man escapes from them. He whose looks are gentle shall be pitied, but he that contends in the gates will afflict souls.
14 Nneɛma pa firi onipa anomu aba mu hyɛ no ma sɛdeɛ ne nsa ano adwuma ma no akatua no.
The soul of a man shall be filled with good from the fruits of his mouth; and the recompence of his lips shall be given to him.
15 Ɔkwasea akwan tene wɔ nʼani so, na ɔnyansafoɔ tie afotuo.
The ways of fools are right in their own eyes; but a wise man hearkens to counsels.
16 Ɔkwasea bo nkyɛre fu, nanso ɔbadwemma bu nʼani gu atɛnnidie so.
A fool declares his wrath the same day; but a prudent man hides his own disgrace.
17 Ɔdanseni nokwafoɔ di adanseɛ turodoo, na deɛ ɔdi adansekurumu no twa nkontompo.
A righteous man declares the open truth; but an unjust witness is deceitful.
18 Nsɛm hunu keka wowɔ te sɛ akofena nanso onyansafoɔ tɛkrɛma ma abodwoeɛ.
Some wound as they speak, [like] swords; but the tongues of the wise heal.
19 Ano a ɛka nokorɛ no tim hɔ daa, na atorɔ tɛkrɛma ɛnkyɛre koraa.
True lips establish testimony; but a hasty witness has an unjust tongue.
20 Nnaadaa hyɛ wɔn a wɔdwene bɔne ho akoma mu, na wɔn a wɔpɛ asomdwoeɛ nya ahosɛpɛ.
[There is] deceit in the heart of him that imagines evil; but they that love peace shall rejoice.
21 Ɔhaw biara rento ɔteneneeni, nanso amanehunu mee amumuyɛfoɔ.
No injustice will please a just man; but the ungodly will be filled with mischief.
22 Awurade kyiri ano a ɛtwa atorɔ, na nʼani gye nnipa a wɔdi nokorɛ ho.
Lying lips are a abomination to the Lord; but he that deals faithfully is accepted with him.
23 Ɔnifirafoɔ mmɔ ne nimdeɛ ho dawuro na nkwaseafoɔ akoma da agyimisɛm adi.
An understanding man is a throne of wisdom; but the heart of fools shall meet with curses.
24 Nsa a ɛyɛ adwuma no bɛdi tumi, nanso akwadworɔ wie nkoasom mu.
The hand of chosen men shall easily obtain rule; but the deceitful shall be for a prey.
25 Akoma a ɛpere adeɛ ho ma onipa boto, nanso nkuranhyɛsɛm bi hyɛ no den.
A terrible word troubles the heart of a righteous man; but a good message rejoices him.
26 Ɔteneneeni wɔ ntoboaseɛ wɔ ayɔnkofa mu, nanso amumuyɛfoɔ kwan ma wɔfom.
A just arbitrator shall be his own friend; but mischief shall pursue sinners; and the way of ungodly men shall lead them astray.
27 Onihafoɔ ntoto ne hanam, nanso nsiyɛfoɔ ahonyadeɛ som bo ma wɔn.
A deceitful man shall catch no game; but a blameless man is a precious possession.
28 Tenenee kwan mu wɔ nkwa; na owuo nni saa ɛkwan no so.
In the ways of righteousness is life; but the ways of those that remember injuries [lead] to death.
