Proverbs 10:23

Proverbs 10:23 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.
• New International Version (NIV)A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes, but a person of understanding delights in wisdom.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.
• New King James Version (NKJV)To do evil is like sport to a fool, But a man of understanding has wisdom.

Context of Proverbs 10:23

21The lips of the righteous feed and guide many, But fools [who reject God and His wisdom] die for lack of understanding. 22The blessing of the Lord brings [true] riches, And He adds no sorrow to it [for it comes as a blessing from God]. Engaging in evil is like sport to the fool [who refuses wisdom and chases sin], But to a man of understanding [skillful and godly] wisdom brings joy. 24What the wicked fears will come upon him, But the desire of the righteous [for the blessings of God] will be granted. 25When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more, But the righteous has an everlasting foundation.

Proverbs 10:23 word by word

כִּשְׂח֣וֹק לִ֭כְסִיל עֲשׂ֣וֹת זִמָּ֑ה וְ֝חָכְמָ֗ה לְאִ֣ישׁ תְּבוּנָֽה׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• as sportשְׂחֹקώechôq ώechôq · laughterH7814
• to a foolכְּסִילkesîyl · foolH3684
• to doעָשָׂה‛âώâh · to make: doH6213
• mischiefזִמָּהzimmâh zammâh · wickednessH2154
• but a manאִישׁ'îysh · manH376
• of understandingתְּבוּנָהtâbûn tebûnâh tôbûnâh · understandingH8394
• hath wisdomחׇכְמָהchokmâh · wisdomH2451

Cross-references for Proverbs 10:23

• Proverbs 14:9Fools mock sin [but sin mocks the fools], But among the upright there is good will and the favor and blessing of God.
• Proverbs 15:21Foolishness is joy to him who is without heart and lacks [intelligent, common] sense, But a man of understanding walks uprightly [making his course straight].
• Proverbs 26:18Like a madman who throws Firebrands, arrows, and death,
• Ecclesiastes 11:9Rejoice, young man, in your childhood, and let your heart be pleasant in the days of your young manhood. And walk in the ways of your heart and in the desires of your eyes, but know that God will bring you into judgment for all these things.

Commentaries on Proverbs 10:23

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23It is a sport to a fool to do mischief - What a millstone weight of iniquity hangs about the necks of most of the jesters. facetious and witty people! "How many lies do they tell in jest, to go to the devil in earnest!"Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 23As the fool finds his sport in doing mischief, so the man of understanding finds in wisdom his truest refreshment and delight.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 23Verse 23 Only foolish and wicked men divert themselves with doing harm to others, or tempting to sin.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2323. Sin is the pleasure of the wicked; wisdom that of the good.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 10:23

• Fool
• Sin
• Wicked (People)
• Wisdom

In the dictionaries

• Famish
• Glad
• Harvest
• Poetry
• Refuse
• Rod
• Surely
• Uprightly
• Fool; Folly
• God

Commentaries on Proverbs 10

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings