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 many, but fools die for lack of understanding. 22The blessing of Adonai brings wealth and He adds no trouble with it. As doing wickedness is delight to a fool, so is wisdom to a man of discernment. 24What the wicked dread will fall on them. The desire of the righteous will be given. 25When the whirlwind passes, the wicked are no more, but the foundation of the righteous is everlasting.

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 guilt of sin, but among the upright is goodwill.
• Proverbs 15:21Folly is joy to one who lacks sense, but one with discernment walks straight.
• Proverbs 26:18Like a madman shooting firebrands and deadly arrows
• Ecclesiastes 11:9Rejoice, young man, in your childhood, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and in the sight of your eyes, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment.

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