Mmɛbusɛm 9
1 Nyansa asi ne fie; watwa nʼafadum nson ho.
Wisdom has built her house. She has carved out her seven pillars.
2 Wasiesie nʼaduane afra ne nsã wato ne ɛpono.
She has prepared her meat. She has mixed her wine. She has also set her table.
3 Wasoma ne mmaawa, na ɔfrɛ firi kuropɔn no sorɔnsorɔmmea hɔ sɛ,
She has sent out her maidens. She cries from the highest places of the city:
4 “Momma ntetekwaafoɔ nyinaa mmra ha!” Ɔka kyerɛ wɔn a wɔnni atemmuo sɛ,
“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
5 “Mommra mmɛdi mʼaduane na monnom nsã a mafra no.
“Come, eat some of my bread, Drink some of the wine which I have mixed!
6 Monnya mo ntetekwaasɛm no na mobɛnya nkwa; monnante nteaseɛ akwan so.”
Leave your simple ways, and live. Walk in the way of understanding.”
7 Deɛ ɔtenetene ɔfɛdifoɔ no frɛ ahohorabɔ; na deɛ ɔka amumuyɛfoɔ anim no nya ɔyea.
One who corrects a mocker invites insult. One who reproves a wicked man invites abuse.
8 Ɛno enti, nnka ɔfɛdifoɔ anim na ɔmmɛtane wo; ka onyansafoɔ anim na ɔbɛdɔ wo.
Don’t reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you. Reprove a wise person, and he will love you.
9 Ma onyansafoɔ akwankyerɛ na ɔbɛkɔ so ahunu nyansa; kyerɛkyerɛ ɔteneneeni na ɔde bɛka nʼadesua ho.
Instruct a wise person, and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous person, 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. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 Me mu na wo nna bɛdɔɔso, na wɔde mfeɛ bɛka wo nkwa ho.
For by me your days will be multiplied. The years of your life will be increased.
12 Sɛ woyɛ onyansafoɔ a, wobɛnya wo nyansa ho mfasoɔ; sɛ woyɛ ɔfɛdifoɔ a, wo nko ara na ɛbɛhunu amane.
If you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.
13 Ɔbaa ɔkwasea yɛ ɔkasafoɔ; ɔnni ahohyɛsoɔ na ɔnni nimdeɛ.
The foolish woman is loud, undisciplined, and knows nothing.
14 Ɔte ne fie ɛpono ano, na ɔte akonnwa a ɛsi kuropɔn no sorɔnsorɔmmea,
She sits 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 to those who pass by, who go straight on their ways,
16 “Momma ntetekwaafoɔ nyinaa mmra ha” ɔka kyerɛ wɔn a wɔnni atemmuo sɛ,
“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here.” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
17 “Nsuo a wɔwia no yɛ fremfrem na aduane a wɔdi no ahintaeɛ no yɛ dɛ!”
“Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant.”
