Mmɛbusɛm 9
1 Nyansa asi ne fie; watwa nʼafadum nson ho.
WISDOM hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
2 Wasiesie nʼaduane afra ne nsã wato ne ɛpono.
She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.
3 Wasoma ne mmaawa, na ɔfrɛ firi kuropɔn no sorɔnsorɔmmea hɔ sɛ,
She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,
4 “Momma ntetekwaafoɔ nyinaa mmra ha!” Ɔka kyerɛ wɔn a wɔnni atemmuo sɛ,
Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
5 “Mommra mmɛdi mʼaduane na monnom nsã a mafra no.
Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
6 Monnya mo ntetekwaasɛm no na mobɛnya nkwa; monnante nteaseɛ akwan so.”
Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
7 Deɛ ɔtenetene ɔfɛdifoɔ no frɛ ahohorabɔ; na deɛ ɔka amumuyɛfoɔ anim no nya ɔyea.
He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: 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.
Reprove 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 instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
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 understanding.
11 Me mu na wo nna bɛdɔɔso, na wɔde mfeɛ bɛka wo nkwa ho.
For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
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 wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.
13 Ɔbaa ɔkwasea yɛ ɔkasafoɔ; ɔnni ahohyɛsoɔ na ɔnni nimdeɛ.
A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.
14 Ɔte ne fie ɛpono ano, na ɔte akonnwa a ɛsi kuropɔn no sorɔnsorɔmmea,
For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
15 na ɔfrɛfrɛ wɔn a wɔtwam hɔ, wɔn a wɔnam wɔn kwan so tee sɛ,
To call passengers who go right on their ways:
16 “Momma ntetekwaafoɔ nyinaa mmra ha” ɔka kyerɛ wɔn a wɔnni atemmuo sɛ,
Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
17 “Nsuo a wɔwia no yɛ fremfrem na aduane a wɔdi no ahintaeɛ no yɛ dɛ!”
Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
