Proverbs 10:23

Carrying out a wicked scheme ¹  is enjoyable ²  to a fool, and so is wisdom for the one who has discernment. ³ 

biblegateway Pro 10:23

A fool finds pleasure in evil conduct, but a man of understanding delights in wisdom.

biblegateway Pro 10:23

Doing wickedness is like sport to a fool, And so is wisdom to a man of understanding.

biblegateway Pro 10:23

Doing wrong is fun for a fool, while wise conduct is a pleasure to the wise.

biblegateway Pro 10:23

An empty-head thinks mischief is fun, but a mindful person relishes wisdom.

SABDAweb Pro 10:23

It is sport to the foolish man to do evil, but the man of good sense takes delight in wisdom.

bibleoremus Pro 10:23

Doing wrong is like sport to a fool, but wise conduct is pleasure to a person of understanding.

biblegateway Pro 10:23

To do evil is like sport to a fool, But a man of understanding has wisdom.

biblegateway Pro 10:23

Carrying out a wicked scheme ¹  is enjoyable ²  to a fool, and so is wisdom for the one who has discernment. ³ 

¹ tn Heb “doing a plan.” The noun זִמָּה (zimmah, “plan”) is often used pejoratively of a scheme to do wickedness. It is used elsewhere for planning lewdness, murder, incest, adultery, idolatry, and licentiousness. Any planned gross impropriety gives the fool pleasure. The verb עָשָׂה (’asah, “to do”) here means “to carry out (a plan)” (BDB 794 s.v.).

² tn Heb “like sport” (so NASB, NRSV). The noun שְׂחוֹק (sÿkhoq, “sport”) is used elsewhere to refer to what is exhilarating and pleasurable (BDB 966 s.v.). As W. G. Plaut says, it is like child’s play (Proverbs, 132). For the fool evil brings such enjoyment; for the discerning wisdom does.

³ tn Heb “a man of discernment.”