Mmɛbusɛm 29
1 Obi a ɔkɔ so yɛ tufoanteɛ wɔ animka pii akyi no wɔbɛsɛe no mpofirim a wɔrentumi nsi ano.
The man who, with a stiff neck, treats the one who corrects him with contempt will be suddenly overwhelmed to his own destruction, and reason shall not follow him.
2 Sɛ teneneefoɔ di yie a, nnipa no di ahurisie; sɛ amumuyɛfoɔ di nnipa so a, wosi apinie.
When just men are multiplied, the common people shall rejoice. When the impious take up the leadership, the people shall mourn.
3 Onipa a ɔdɔ nyansa no ma nʼagya anigye, nanso nnwamanfoɔ yɔnko sɛe nʼahonya.
The man who loves wisdom rejoices his father. But whoever nurtures promiscuous women will lose his substance.
4 Ɔhene nam atɛntenenee so ma ɔman no asomdwoeɛ, nanso deɛ ɔde adifudepɛ gye adanmudeɛ no bɔ ɔman no.
A just king guides the land. A man of avarice will destroy it.
5 Obiara a ɔdaadaa ne yɔnko no sum ne nan afidie.
A man who speaks to his friend with flattering and feigned words spreads a net for his own feet.
6 Ɔdebɔneyɛfoɔ bɔne sum no afidie, nanso ɔteneneeni bɛtumi ato dwom ama nʼani agye.
A snare will entangle the iniquitous when he sins. And the just shall praise and be glad.
7 Ahiafoɔ atɛnteneebuo ho hia teneneefoɔ, nanso amumuyɛfoɔ nni saa tema no.
The just knows the case of the poor. The impious is ignorant of knowledge.
8 Fɛdifoɔ de basabasayɛ ba kuropɔn mu, nanso anyansafoɔ dwodwo abufuo ano.
Pestilent men squander a city. Yet truly, the wise avert fury.
9 Sɛ onyansafoɔ de ɔkwasea kɔ asɛnniiɛ a, ɔkwasea no bobom kasa di fɛ, na asomdwoeɛ mma.
A wise man, if he were to contend with the foolish, whether in anger or in laughter, would find no rest.
10 Mogyapɛfoɔ kyiri ɔnokwafoɔ, na wɔhwehwɛ sɛ wɔbɛkum deɛ ɔtene.
Bloodthirsty men hate the simple one; but the just seek out his soul.
11 Ɔkwasea da abufuo nyinaa adi, nanso onyansafoɔ hyɛ ne ho so.
A foolish one offers everything on his mind. A wise one reserves and defers until later.
12 Sɛ sodifoɔ tie nkontomposɛm a, nʼadwumayɛfoɔ nyinaa bɛyɛ amumuyɛfoɔ.
A leader who freely listens to lying words has only impious servants.
13 Ohiani ne ɔhyɛsofoɔ nyinaa wɔ saa adeɛ baako yi: Awurade ma wɔn baanu nyinaa ani a wɔde hunu adeɛ.
The pauper and the creditor have met one another. The Lord is the illuminator of them both.
14 Sɛ ɔhene di ahiafoɔ asɛm yie a, nʼahennwa bɛtim hɔ daa.
The king who judges the poor in truth, his throne shall be secured in eternity.
15 Ntenesoɔ abaa ma nyansa, na abɔfra a wɔde ne pɛ ma noɔ no, gu ne na anim ase.
The rod and its correction distribute wisdom. But the child who is left to his own will, brings shame to his mother.
16 Sɛ amumuyɛfoɔ di yie a, bɔne nso kɔ so, na teneneefoɔ bɛhunu wɔn asehweɛ.
When the impious are multiplied, crimes will be multiplied. But the just shall see their ruin.
17 Tene wo ba so, na ɔbɛma wo asomdwoeɛ; ɔbɛma wo ɔkra ani agye.
Teach your son, and he will refresh you, and he will give delight to your soul.
18 Sɛ anisoadehunu nni hɔ a, nnipa no yɛ basaa; na nhyira nka deɛ ɔdi mmara so.
When prophecy fails, the people will be scattered. Yet truly, whoever guards the law is blessed.
19 Wɔmmfa anomu nsɛm nko ara ntene ɔsomfoɔ so, ɔte aseɛ deɛ, nanso ɔremfa.
A servant cannot be taught by words, because he understands what you say, but he disdains to respond.
20 Wohunu obi a ɔpere ne nsɛm ho anaa? Ɔkwasea mu wɔ anidasoɔ sene no.
Have you seen a man rushing to speak? Foolishness has more hope than his correction.
21 Sɛ obi korɔkorɔ ne ɔsomfoɔ firi ne mmɔfraase a, awieeɛ no ɔde awerɛhoɔ na ɛbɛba.
Whoever nurtures his servant delicately from childhood, afterwards will find him defiant.
22 Onipa a ne bo afuo de mpaapaemu ba, na deɛ ne bo nkyɛre fu no yɛ bɔne pii.
A short-tempered man provokes quarrels. And whoever is easily angered is more likely to sin.
23 Onipa ahomasoɔ brɛ no ase, nanso deɛ ɔwɔ ahobrɛaseɛ no nya animuonyam.
Humiliation follows the arrogant. And glory shall uphold the humble in spirit.
24 Deɛ ɔboa ɔkorɔmfoɔ no ha ɔno ankasa ho. Wɔama waka ntam enti ɔsuro sɛ ɔbɛdi adanseɛ.
Whoever participates with a thief hates his own soul; for he listens to his oath and does not denounce him.
25 Onipa ho suro bɛtumi ayɛ afidie ama wo, na deɛ ɔde ne ho to Awurade so no, wɔbɛgye no.
Whoever fears man will quickly fall. Whoever hopes in the Lord shall be lifted up.
26 Bebree hwehwɛ sɛ wɔbɛnya ɔhene ne no akasa, nanso onipa nya atɛntenenee firi Awurade nkyɛn.
Many demand the face of the leader. But the judgment of each one proceeds from the Lord.
27 Teneneefoɔ kyiri atorofoɔ; na amumuyɛfoɔ kyiri wɔn a wɔn akwan tene.
The just abhor an impious man. And the impious abhor those who are on the right way. By keeping the word, the son shall be free from perdition.
