Mmɛbusɛm 9
1 Nyansa asi ne fie; watwa nʼafadum nson ho.
Wisdom hath builded her house, She hath hewn out her pillars — seven.
2 Wasiesie nʼaduane afra ne nsã wato ne ɛpono.
She hath slaughtered her slaughter, She hath mingled her wine, Yea, she hath arranged her table.
3 Wasoma ne mmaawa, na ɔfrɛ firi kuropɔn no sorɔnsorɔmmea hɔ sɛ,
She hath sent forth her damsels, She crieth on the tops of the high places of the city:
4 “Momma ntetekwaafoɔ nyinaa mmra ha!” Ɔka kyerɛ wɔn a wɔnni atemmuo sɛ,
'Who [is] simple? let him turn aside hither.' Whoso lacketh heart: she hath said to him,
5 “Mommra mmɛdi mʼaduane na monnom nsã a mafra no.
'Come, eat of my bread, And drink of the wine I have mingled.
6 Monnya mo ntetekwaasɛm no na mobɛnya nkwa; monnante nteaseɛ akwan so.”
Forsake ye, the simple, and live, And be happy in the way of understanding.
7 Deɛ ɔtenetene ɔfɛdifoɔ no frɛ ahohorabɔ; na deɛ ɔka amumuyɛfoɔ anim no nya ɔyea.
The instructor of a scorner Is receiving for it — shame, And a reprover of the wicked — his blemish.
8 Ɛno enti, nnka ɔfɛdifoɔ anim na ɔmmɛtane wo; ka onyansafoɔ anim na ɔbɛdɔ wo.
Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee, Give reproof to the wise, and he loveth thee.
9 Ma onyansafoɔ akwankyerɛ na ɔbɛkɔ so ahunu nyansa; kyerɛkyerɛ ɔteneneeni na ɔde bɛka nʼadesua ho.
Give to the wise, and he is wiser still, Make known to the righteous, And he increaseth learning.
10 Awurade suro yɛ nyansa ahyɛaseɛ Ɔkronkronni no ho nimdeɛ yɛ nteaseɛ.
The commencement of wisdom [is] the fear of Jehovah, And a knowledge of the Holy Ones [is] understanding.
11 Me mu na wo nna bɛdɔɔso, na wɔde mfeɛ bɛka wo nkwa ho.
For by me do thy days multiply, And added to thee are years of life.
12 Sɛ woyɛ onyansafoɔ a, wobɛnya wo nyansa ho mfasoɔ; sɛ woyɛ ɔfɛdifoɔ a, wo nko ara na ɛbɛhunu amane.
If thou hast been wise, thou hast been wise for thyself, And thou hast scorned — thyself bearest [it].
13 Ɔbaa ɔkwasea yɛ ɔkasafoɔ; ɔnni ahohyɛsoɔ na ɔnni nimdeɛ.
A foolish woman [is] noisy, Simple, and hath not known what.
14 Ɔte ne fie ɛpono ano, na ɔte akonnwa a ɛsi kuropɔn no sorɔnsorɔmmea,
And she hath sat at the opening of her house, On a throne — 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 passing by the way, Who are going straight [on] their paths.
16 “Momma ntetekwaafoɔ nyinaa mmra ha” ɔka kyerɛ wɔn a wɔnni atemmuo sɛ,
'Who [is] simple? let him turn aside hither.' And whoso lacketh heart — she said to him,
17 “Nsuo a wɔwia no yɛ fremfrem na aduane a wɔdi no ahintaeɛ no yɛ dɛ!”
'Stolen waters are sweet, And hidden bread is pleasant.'
