Mmɛbusɛm 18
1 Ɔhonankani yɛ pɛsɛmenkomenya; na ɔmfa atɛntenenee nyɛ hwee.
For the desire thereof hee will separate himselfe to seeke it, and occupie himselfe in all wisdome.
2 Ɔkwasea nni nhunumu ho anigyeɛ na mmom deɛ ɔpɛ ara ne sɛ ɔde nʼadwene bɛto dwa.
A foole hath no delite in vnderstanding: but that his heart may be discouered.
3 Sɛ amumuyɛsɛm ba a animtiabuo di so, na aniwuo nso di animguaseɛ akyi.
When the wicked commeth, then commeth contempt, and with the vile man reproch.
4 Onipa anom nsɛm yɛ nsuo a emu dɔ, na nyansa asutire yɛ asuwa a ɛrepu ahuro.
The words of a mans mouth are like deepe waters, and the welspring of wisdome is like a flowing riuer.
5 Ɛnyɛ sɛ wɔdi ma omumuyɛfoɔ anaasɛ wɔbu deɛ ɔdi bem atɛnkyea.
It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to cause ye righteous to fall in iudgement.
6 Ɔkwasea ano de akasakasa ba na nʼano frɛfrɛ ɔhweɛ.
A fooles lips come with strife, and his mouth calleth for stripes.
7 Ɔkwasea ano yɛ ɔno ara sɛeɛ na nʼanofafa yɛ ne kra afidie.
A fooles mouth is his owne destruction, and his lips are a snare for his soule.
8 Osekuni anom asɛm te sɛ mfremfremadeɛ; ɛwurawura kɔ onipa akwaa mu nyinaa.
The wordes of a tale bearer are as flatterings, and they goe downe into the bowels of the belly.
9 Deɛ ɔtoto nʼadwuma ase no nuabarima ne deɛ ɔyɛ ɔsɛefoɔ.
He also that is slouthfull in his worke, is euen the brother of him that is a great waster.
10 Awurade din yɛ abantenten a ɛyɛ den; ahotefoɔ dwane kɔtoa na wɔnya banbɔ.
The Name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth vnto it, and is exalted.
11 Adefoɔ ahonyadeɛ ne wɔn kuropɔn a wɔabɔ ho ban wɔfa no sɛ ɔfasuo tenten a wɔntumi mforo.
The rich mans riches are his strong citie: and as an hie wall in his imagination.
12 Ansa na onipa bɛhwe ase no ɔnya ahomasoɔ akoma, na ahobrɛaseɛ di animuonyam anim.
Before destruction the heart of a man is hautie, and before glory goeth lowlines.
13 Deɛ ɔntie asɛm ansa na wama mmuaeɛ no, ɛno ne ne gyimie ne nʼanimguaseɛ.
He that answereth a matter before hee heare it, it is folly and shame vnto him.
14 Onipa sunsum na ɛhyɛ no den wɔ yadeɛ mu na honhom a apɛkyɛ deɛ, hwan na ɔpɛ?
The spirit of a man will susteine his infirmitie: but a wounded spirit who can beare it?
15 Nhunumu akoma nya nimdeɛ; na anyansafoɔ aso nso hwehwɛ.
A wise heart getteth knowledge, and the eare of the wise seeketh learning.
16 Akyɛdeɛ bue ɛkwan ma deɛ ɔde ma na ɛde no ba atitire anim.
A mans gift enlargeth him, and leadeth him before great men.
17 Ɛyɛ deɛ ɔbɔ ne nkuro kane no sɛ nʼasɛm yɛ dɛ, kɔsi sɛ ɔfoforɔ bɛba abɛbisa no nsɛm no mu.
He that is first in his owne cause, is iust: then commeth his neighbour, and maketh inquirie of him.
18 Ntontobɔ twa akyinnyegyeɛ so, na ɛpata atamfoɔ.
The lot causeth contentions to cease, and maketh a partition among the mightie.
19 Onua a wɔafom noɔ no asɛm yɛ dene sene kuropɔn a ɛwɔ banbɔ, akyinnyegyeɛ te sɛ abankɛsewa apono a wɔabram akyire.
A brother offended is harder to winne then a strong citie, and their contentions are like the barre of a palace.
20 Onipa anom asɛm so aba ma ɔyafunu mee, nnɔbaeɛ a nʼanofafa twa no mee no.
With the fruite of a mans mouth shall his belly be satisfied, and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
21 Tɛkrɛma kura nkwa ne owuo tumi, na wɔn a wɔdɔ no no bɛdi nʼaba.
Death and life are in the power of ye tongue, and they that loue it, shall eate the fruite thereof.
22 Deɛ wanya yere no anya adepa na ɔnya adom firi Awurade hɔ.
He that findeth a wife, findeth a good thing, and receiueth fauour of the Lord.
23 Ohiani srɛ ahummɔborɔ, nanso ɔdefoɔ de kasaden bua no.
The poore speaketh with prayers: but the rich answereth roughly.
24 Ɔbarima a ne nnamfonom dɔɔso bɛtumi ahwe ase, nanso adamfo bi wɔ hɔ a ɔbɛfam ne ho asene onua.
A man that hath friends, ought to shew him selfe friendly: for a friend is neerer then a brother.
