Mmɛbusɛm 9
1 Nyansa asi ne fie; watwa nʼafadum nson ho.
Wisdom has built a house for herself, and set up seven pillars.
2 Wasiesie nʼaduane afra ne nsã wato ne ɛpono.
She has killed her beasts; she has mingled her wine in a bowl, and prepared her table.
3 Wasoma ne mmaawa, na ɔfrɛ firi kuropɔn no sorɔnsorɔmmea hɔ sɛ,
She has sent forth her servants, calling with a loud proclamation to the feast, saying,
4 “Momma ntetekwaafoɔ nyinaa mmra ha!” Ɔka kyerɛ wɔn a wɔnni atemmuo sɛ,
Whoso is foolish, let him turn aside to me: and to them that want understanding she says,
5 “Mommra mmɛdi mʼaduane na monnom nsã a mafra no.
Come, eat of my bread, and drink wine which I have mingled for you.
6 Monnya mo ntetekwaasɛm no na mobɛnya nkwa; monnante nteaseɛ akwan so.”
Leave folly, that ye may reign for ever; and seek wisdom, and improve understanding by knowledge.
7 Deɛ ɔtenetene ɔfɛdifoɔ no frɛ ahohorabɔ; na deɛ ɔka amumuyɛfoɔ anim no nya ɔyea.
He that reproves evil [men] shall get dishonour to himself; and he that rebukes an ungodly [man] shall disgrace himself.
8 Ɛno enti, nnka ɔfɛdifoɔ anim na ɔmmɛtane wo; ka onyansafoɔ anim na ɔbɛdɔ wo.
Rebuke not evil [men], lest they should hate thee: rebuke a wise [man], and he will love thee.
9 Ma onyansafoɔ akwankyerɛ na ɔbɛkɔ so ahunu nyansa; kyerɛkyerɛ ɔteneneeni na ɔde bɛka nʼadesua ho.
Give an opportunity to a wise [man], and he will be wiser: instruct a just man, and he will receive more [instruction].
10 Awurade suro yɛ nyansa ahyɛaseɛ Ɔkronkronni no ho nimdeɛ yɛ nteaseɛ.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the counsel of saints is understanding: for to know the law is [the character] of a sound mind.
11 Me mu na wo nna bɛdɔɔso, na wɔde mfeɛ bɛka wo nkwa ho.
For in this way thou shalt live long, and years of thy life shall be added to thee.
12 Sɛ woyɛ onyansafoɔ a, wobɛnya wo nyansa ho mfasoɔ; sɛ woyɛ ɔfɛdifoɔ a, wo nko ara na ɛbɛhunu amane.
Son, if thou be wise for thyself, thou shalt also be wise for thy neighbours; and if thou shouldest prove wicked, thou alone wilt bear the evil. He that stays himself upon falsehoods, attempts to rule the winds, and the same will pursue birds in their fight: for he has forsaken the ways of his own vineyard, and he has caused the axles of his own husbandry to go astray; and he goes through a dry desert, and a [land] appointed to drought, and he gathers barrenness with his hands.
13 Ɔbaa ɔkwasea yɛ ɔkasafoɔ; ɔnni ahohyɛsoɔ na ɔnni nimdeɛ.
A foolish and bold woman, who knows not modesty, comes to want a morsel.
14 Ɔte ne fie ɛpono ano, na ɔte akonnwa a ɛsi kuropɔn no sorɔnsorɔmmea,
She sits at the doors of her house, on a seat openly in the streets,
15 na ɔfrɛfrɛ wɔn a wɔtwam hɔ, wɔn a wɔnam wɔn kwan so tee sɛ,
calling to passers by, and to those that are going right on their ways;
16 “Momma ntetekwaafoɔ nyinaa mmra ha” ɔka kyerɛ wɔn a wɔnni atemmuo sɛ,
[saying], Whoso is most senseless of you, let him turn aside to me; and I exhort those that want prudence, saying,
17 “Nsuo a wɔwia no yɛ fremfrem na aduane a wɔdi no ahintaeɛ no yɛ dɛ!”
Take and enjoy secret bread, and the sweet water of theft.
