Proverbs 10:23
Modern Translations
New International Version
A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes, but a person of understanding delights in wisdom.

New Living Translation
Doing wrong is fun for a fool, but living wisely brings pleasure to the sensible.

English Standard Version
Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.

Berean Study Bible
The fool delights in shameful conduct, but a man of understanding has wisdom.

New American Standard Bible
Doing wickedness is like sport to a fool, And so is wisdom to a person of understanding.

NASB 1995
Doing wickedness is like sport to a fool, And so is wisdom to a man of understanding.

NASB 1977
Doing wickedness is like sport to a fool; And so is wisdom to a man of understanding.

Amplified Bible
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.

Christian Standard Bible
As shameful conduct is pleasure for a fool, so wisdom is for a person of understanding.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
As shameful conduct is pleasure for a fool, so wisdom is for a man of understanding.

Contemporary English Version
Fools enjoy doing wrong, but anyone with good sense enjoys acting wisely.

Good News Translation
It is foolish to enjoy doing wrong. Intelligent people take pleasure in wisdom.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Like the laughter of a fool when he carries out an evil plan, so is wisdom to a person who has understanding.

International Standard Version
Just as the fool considers wickedness his joy, so is wisdom to the discerning man.

NET Bible
Carrying out a wicked scheme is enjoyable to a fool, and so is wisdom for the one who has discernment.
Classic Translations
King James Bible
It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.

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

King James 2000 Bible
It is as sport to a fool to do wrong: but a man of understanding has wisdom.

New Heart English Bible
It is a fool's pleasure to do wickedness, but wisdom is a man of understanding's pleasure.

World English Bible
It is a fool's pleasure to do wickedness, but wisdom is a man of understanding's pleasure.

American King James Version
It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding has wisdom.

American Standard Version
It is as sport to a fool to do wickedness; And'so is wisdom to a man of understanding.

A Faithful Version
To work out evil devices is as sport to a fool, but a man of understanding has wisdom.

Darby Bible Translation
It is as sport to a foolish [man] to do wickedness; but a man of understanding hath wisdom.

English Revised Version
It is as sport to a fool to do wickedness: and so is wisdom to a man of understanding.

Webster's Bible Translation
It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.

Early Modern
Geneva Bible of 1587
It is as a pastime to a foole to doe wickedly: but wisedome is vnderstanding to a man.

Bishops' Bible of 1568
A foole doth wickedly, and maketh but a sport of it: but wisdome ruleth the man that hath vnderstandyng.

Coverdale Bible of 1535
A foole doth wickedly & maketh but a sporte of it: neuertheles it is wysdome for a man to bewarre of soch.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
To execute inventions [is] as play to a fool, "" And wisdom to a man of understanding.

Young's Literal Translation
To execute inventions is as play to a fool, And wisdom to a man of understanding.

Smith's Literal Translation
As laughter to the foolish one, to do mischief: and wisdom is to the man of understanding.

Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
A fool worketh mischief as it were for sport: but wisdom is prudence to a man.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The foolish work wickedness as if in jest. But wisdom is prudence to a man.

Translations from Aramaic
Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
A moron, in making merry, does evil, and a man has wisdom by his reasoning.

Lamsa Bible
It is sport to a fool to do mischief; but a man of understanding has wisdom.

OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
It is as sport to a fool to do wickedness, And so is wisdom to a man of discernment.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
A fool does mischief in sport; but wisdom brings forth prudence for a man.
















Proverbs 10:22
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