1A person who isn’t friendly looks out only for themselves.
They oppose all good sense by starting fights.
2Foolish people don’t want to understand.
They take delight in saying only what they think.
3People hate it when evil comes.
And they refuse to honor those who bring shame.
4The words of a person’s mouth are like deep water.
But the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing stream.
5It isn’t good to favor those who do wrong.
That would keep justice from those who aren’t guilty.
6What foolish people say leads to arguing.
They are just asking for a beating.
7The words of foolish people drag them down.
They are trapped by what they say.
8The words of anyone who talks about others are like tasty bites of food.
They go deep down inside you.
9Anyone who doesn’t want to work
is like someone who destroys.
10The name of the Lord is like a strong tower.
Godly people run to it and are safe.
11The wealth of rich people is like a city that makes them feel safe.
They think of it as a city with walls that can’t be climbed.
12If a person’s heart is proud, they will be destroyed.
So don’t be proud if you want to be honored.
13To answer before listening
is foolish and shameful.
14A cheerful spirit gives strength even during sickness.
But you can’t keep going if you have a broken spirit.
15Those whose hearts understand what is right get knowledge.
That’s because the ears of those who are wise listen for it.
16A gift opens the door
and helps the giver meet important people.
17In court, the first one to speak seems right.
Then someone else comes forward and questions him.
18Casting lots will put a stop to arguing.
It will keep the strongest enemies apart.
19A broken friendship is harder to handle than a city with high walls around it.
And arguing is like the locked gates of a mighty city.
20Because of what they say a person can fill their stomach.
What their words produce can satisfy them.
21Your tongue has the power of life and death.
Those who love to talk will eat the fruit of their words.
22The one who finds a wife finds what is good.
He receives favor from the Lord.
23Poor people beg for mercy.
But rich people answer in a mean way.
24A person with unfaithful friends soon comes to ruin.
But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
1Ɔhonamkani yɛ pɛsɛmenkominya;
na nea ɛmfa atɛntrenee mma no turuw ɔham.
2Ɔkwasea nni nhumu ho anigye,
na mmom nea ɔpɛ ara ne sɛ ɔde nʼadwene bɛto gua.
3Sɛ amumɔyɛsɛm ba a animtiaabu di so,
na aniwu nso di animguase akyi.
4Onipa anom nsɛm yɛ nsu a emu dɔ,
na nyansa asuti yɛ asuwa a ɛrefi ahuru.
5Enye sɛ wodi ma omumɔyɛfo
anaasɛ wobu nea odi bem ntɛnkyew.
6Nkwaseafo ano de akasakasa ba,
na wɔn ano frɛfrɛ ɔhwe.
7Nkwaseafo ano yɛ wɔn ara wɔn sɛe,
na wɔn anofafa yɛ wɔn ara wɔn kra afiri.
8Osekuni ano asɛm te sɛ aduan a ɛyɛ dɛ;
ɛhyɛnhyɛn onipa akwaa mu nyinaa.
9Nea ɔtoto nʼadwuma ase no
yɛ ɔsɛefo nuabarima.
10Awurade din yɛ abantenten a ɛyɛ den;
ahotefo guan kɔtoa na wonya bammɔ.
11Adefo ahonyade ne wɔn kuropɔn a wɔabɔ ho ban
wɔfa no sɛ ɔfasu tenten a wontumi mforo.
12Ansa na onipa bɛhwe ase no onya ahomaso koma,
na ahobrɛase di anuonyam anim.
13Nea ontie asɛm ansa na wama mmuae no,
ɛno ne ne gyimi ne nʼanimguase.
14Onipa honhom na ɛhyɛ no den wɔ ɔyare mu
na honhom a abotow de, hena na ɔpɛ?
15Nhumu koma nya nimdeɛ;
na anyansafo aso nso hwehwɛ.
16Akyɛde bue kwan ma nea ɔde ma
na ɛde no ba atitiriw anim.
17Ɛyɛ nea ɔbɔ ne nkuro kan no sɛ nʼasɛm yɛ dɛ,
kosi sɛ ɔfoforo bɛba abebisa no nsɛm no mu.
18Ntontobɔ twa akyinnyegye so,
na ɛpata atamfo.
19Onua a wɔafom no no asɛm yɛ den sen kuropɔn a ɛwɔ bammɔ,
akyinnyegye te sɛ abankɛse apon a wɔabram akyi.
20Onipa anom asɛm so aba ma ɔyafunu mee,
nnɔbae a nʼanofafa twa no mee no.
21Tɛkrɛma kura nkwa ne owu tumi,
na wɔn a wɔdɔ no no bedi nʼaba.
22Nea wanya yere no anya ade pa
na onya adom fi Awurade hɔ.
23Ohiani srɛ ahummɔbɔ,
nanso ɔdefo de kasaden bua no.
24Ɔbarima a ne nnamfonom dɔɔso betumi ahwe ase,
nanso adamfo bi wɔ hɔ a ɔbɛfam ne ho asen onua.
