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 words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense. 22The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. Doing wrong is fun for a fool, but living wisely brings pleasure to the sensible. 24The fears of the wicked will be fulfilled; the hopes of the godly will be granted. 25When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting 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 make fun of guilt, but the godly acknowledge it and seek reconciliation.
• Proverbs 15:21Foolishness brings joy to those with no sense; a sensible person stays on the right path.
• Proverbs 26:18Just as damaging as a madman shooting a deadly weapon
• Ecclesiastes 11:9Young people, it’s wonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it. Do everything you want to do; take it all in. But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do.

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