Mmɛbusɛm 9
1 Nyansa asi ne fie; watwa nʼafadum nson ho.
Wisdom hath built herself a house, she hath hewn her out seven pillars.
2 Wasiesie nʼaduane afra ne nsã wato ne ɛpono.
She hath slain her victims, mingled her wine, and set forth her table.
3 Wasoma ne mmaawa, na ɔfrɛ firi kuropɔn no sorɔnsorɔmmea hɔ sɛ,
She hath sent her maids to invite to the tower, and to the walls of the city:
4 “Momma ntetekwaafoɔ nyinaa mmra ha!” Ɔka kyerɛ wɔn a wɔnni atemmuo sɛ,
Whosoever is a little one, let him come to me. And to the unwise she said:
5 “Mommra mmɛdi mʼaduane na monnom nsã a mafra no.
Come, eat my bread, and drink the wine which I have mingled for you.
6 Monnya mo ntetekwaasɛm no na mobɛnya nkwa; monnante nteaseɛ akwan so.”
Forsake childishness, and live, and walk by the ways of prudence.
7 Deɛ ɔtenetene ɔfɛdifoɔ no frɛ ahohorabɔ; na deɛ ɔka amumuyɛfoɔ anim no nya ɔyea.
He that teacheth a scorner, doth an injury to himself: and he that rebuketh a wicked man, getteth himself a blot.
8 Ɛno enti, nnka ɔfɛdifoɔ anim na ɔmmɛtane wo; ka onyansafoɔ anim na ɔbɛdɔ wo.
Rebuke not a scorner lest he 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 occasion to a wise man, and wisdom shall be added to him. Teach a just man, and he shall make haste to receive it.
10 Awurade suro yɛ nyansa ahyɛaseɛ Ɔkronkronni no ho nimdeɛ yɛ nteaseɛ.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is prudence.
11 Me mu na wo nna bɛdɔɔso, na wɔde mfeɛ bɛka wo nkwa ho.
For by me shall thy days be multiplied, and years of 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.
If thou be wise, thou shalt be so to thyself: and if a scorner, thou alone shalt bear the evil.
13 Ɔbaa ɔkwasea yɛ ɔkasafoɔ; ɔnni ahohyɛsoɔ na ɔnni nimdeɛ.
A foolish woman and clamorous, and full of allurements, and knowing nothing at all,
14 Ɔte ne fie ɛpono ano, na ɔte akonnwa a ɛsi kuropɔn no sorɔnsorɔmmea,
Sat at the door of her house, upon a seat, in a high place of the city,
15 na ɔfrɛfrɛ wɔn a wɔtwam hɔ, wɔn a wɔnam wɔn kwan so tee sɛ,
To call them that pass by the way, and go on their journey:
16 “Momma ntetekwaafoɔ nyinaa mmra ha” ɔka kyerɛ wɔn a wɔnni atemmuo sɛ,
He that is a little one, let him turn to me. And to the fool she said:
17 “Nsuo a wɔwia no yɛ fremfrem na aduane a wɔdi no ahintaeɛ no yɛ dɛ!”
Stolen waters are sweeter, and hid den bread is more pleasant.
