Mmɛbusɛm 29
1 Obi a ɔkɔ so yɛ tufoanteɛ wɔ animka pii akyi no wɔbɛsɛe no mpofirim a wɔrentumi nsi ano.
He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck shall suddenly be broken, and that without remedy.
2 Sɛ teneneefoɔ di yie a, nnipa no di ahurisie; sɛ amumuyɛfoɔ di nnipa so a, wosi apinie.
When the righteous are increased, the people rejoice: but when a wicked man beareth rule, the people sigh.
3 Onipa a ɔdɔ nyansa no ma nʼagya anigye, nanso nnwamanfoɔ yɔnko sɛe nʼahonya.
Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots wasteth [his] substance.
4 Ɔhene nam atɛntenenee so ma ɔman no asomdwoeɛ, nanso deɛ ɔde adifudepɛ gye adanmudeɛ no bɔ ɔman no.
The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that exacteth gifts overthroweth it.
5 Obiara a ɔdaadaa ne yɔnko no sum ne nan afidie.
A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his steps.
6 Ɔdebɔneyɛfoɔ bɔne sum no afidie, nanso ɔteneneeni bɛtumi ato dwom ama nʼani agye.
In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.
7 Ahiafoɔ atɛnteneebuo ho hia teneneefoɔ, nanso amumuyɛfoɔ nni saa tema no.
The righteous taketh knowledge of the cause of the poor: the wicked hath not understanding to know [it].
8 Fɛdifoɔ de basabasayɛ ba kuropɔn mu, nanso anyansafoɔ dwodwo abufuo ano.
Scornful men set a city in a flame: but wise men turn away wrath.
9 Sɛ onyansafoɔ de ɔkwasea kɔ asɛnniiɛ a, ɔkwasea no bobom kasa di fɛ, na asomdwoeɛ mma.
If a wise man hath a controversy with a foolish man, whether he be angry or laugh, there will be no rest.
10 Mogyapɛfoɔ kyiri ɔnokwafoɔ, na wɔhwehwɛ sɛ wɔbɛkum deɛ ɔtene.
The bloodthirsty hate him that is perfect: and as for the upright, they seek his life.
11 Ɔkwasea da abufuo nyinaa adi, nanso onyansafoɔ hyɛ ne ho so.
A fool uttereth all his anger: but a wise man keepeth it back and stilleth it.
12 Sɛ sodifoɔ tie nkontomposɛm a, nʼadwumayɛfoɔ nyinaa bɛyɛ amumuyɛfoɔ.
If a ruler hearkeneth to falsehood, all his servants are wicked.
13 Ohiani ne ɔhyɛsofoɔ nyinaa wɔ saa adeɛ baako yi: Awurade ma wɔn baanu nyinaa ani a wɔde hunu adeɛ.
The poor man and the oppressor meet together: the LORD lighteneth the eyes of them both.
14 Sɛ ɔhene di ahiafoɔ asɛm yie a, nʼahennwa bɛtim hɔ daa.
The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.
15 Ntenesoɔ abaa ma nyansa, na abɔfra a wɔde ne pɛ ma noɔ no, gu ne na anim ase.
The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself causeth shame to his mother.
16 Sɛ amumuyɛfoɔ di yie a, bɔne nso kɔ so, na teneneefoɔ bɛhunu wɔn asehweɛ.
When the wicked are increased, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall look upon their fall.
17 Tene wo ba so, na ɔbɛma wo asomdwoeɛ; ɔbɛma wo ɔkra ani agye.
Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.
18 Sɛ anisoadehunu nni hɔ a, nnipa no yɛ basaa; na nhyira nka deɛ ɔdi mmara so.
Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
19 Wɔmmfa anomu nsɛm nko ara ntene ɔsomfoɔ so, ɔte aseɛ deɛ, nanso ɔremfa.
A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not give heed.
20 Wohunu obi a ɔpere ne nsɛm ho anaa? Ɔkwasea mu wɔ anidasoɔ sene no.
Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
21 Sɛ obi korɔkorɔ ne ɔsomfoɔ firi ne mmɔfraase a, awieeɛ no ɔde awerɛhoɔ na ɛbɛba.
He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become a son at the last.
22 Onipa a ne bo afuo de mpaapaemu ba, na deɛ ne bo nkyɛre fu no yɛ bɔne pii.
An angry man stirreth up strife, and a wrathful man aboundeth in transgression.
23 Onipa ahomasoɔ brɛ no ase, nanso deɛ ɔwɔ ahobrɛaseɛ no nya animuonyam.
A man’s pride shall bring him low: but he that is of a lowly spirit shall obtain honour.
24 Deɛ ɔboa ɔkorɔmfoɔ no ha ɔno ankasa ho. Wɔama waka ntam enti ɔsuro sɛ ɔbɛdi adanseɛ.
Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth the adjuration and uttereth nothing.
25 Onipa ho suro bɛtumi ayɛ afidie ama wo, na deɛ ɔde ne ho to Awurade so no, wɔbɛgye no.
The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
26 Bebree hwehwɛ sɛ wɔbɛnya ɔhene ne no akasa, nanso onipa nya atɛntenenee firi Awurade nkyɛn.
Many seek the ruler’s favour: but a man’s judgment [cometh] from the LORD.
27 Teneneefoɔ kyiri atorofoɔ; na amumuyɛfoɔ kyiri wɔn a wɔn akwan tene.
An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous: and he that is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.
