Proverbs 10:23 — Compare Translations
28 translations compared side by side
English (YLT) 1898 Young's Literal Translation by Robert Young
To execute inventions [is] as play to a fool, And wisdom to a man of understanding.
English ASV
It is as sport to a fool to do wickedness; And so is wisdom to a man of understanding.
English Amplified
It is as sport to a [self-confident] fool to do wickedness, but to have skillful and godly Wisdom is pleasure and relaxation to a man of understanding.
English Amplified Classic Bible 1987
It is as sport to a [self-confident] fool to do wickedness, but to have skillful and godly Wisdom is pleasure and relaxation to a man of understanding.
English Berean Standard Bible (BSB) 2025
The fool delights in shameful conduct, but a man of understanding has wisdom.
English CSB 2017 - Christian Standard Bible
As shameful conduct is pleasure for a fool, so wisdom is for a person of understanding.
English Darby 1890 : Public Domain
It is as sport to a foolish [man] to do wickedness; but a man of understanding hath wisdom.
English EASY 2024
A foolish person is happy when he does wicked things. But a wise person enjoys doing things that are right.
English ERV 2006 - Only For Website
Fools enjoy doing wrong, but the wise enjoy wisdom.
English ESV 2016 == The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles
Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.
English GNT (Good News Translation)
It is foolish to enjoy doing wrong. Intelligent people take pleasure in wisdom.
English God's Word - GW 1995
Like the laughter of a fool when he carries out an evil plan, so is wisdom to a person who has understanding.
English HCSB 2004 - Copyrighted Only For Website
As shameful conduct is pleasure for a fool, so wisdom is for a man of understanding.
English KJV 1611
It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.
English LSB
Doing wickedness is like laughing to a fool, And so is wisdom to a man of discernment.
English MEV 2014 (Modern English Version)
Doing evil is like sport to a fool; so is wisdom to a man of understanding.
English NASB (New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995)
Doing wickedness is like sport to a fool, And so is wisdom to a man of understanding.
English NASU 1989 - New American Standard Update - Only for Website
Crime is the entertainment of the fool; so is wisdom for the man of sense.
English NET Bible - 2005 (New English Translation)
Carrying out a wicked scheme is enjoyable to a fool, and so is wisdom for the one who has discernment.
English NIRV 1996 - Copyrighted only for Website
A foolish person finds pleasure in doing evil things. But a man who has understanding takes delight in wisdom.
English NIV
A fool finds pleasure in evil conduct, but a man of understanding delights in wisdom.
English NKJ 1982
To do evil is like sport to a fool, But a man of understanding has wisdom.
English NLT
Doing wrong is fun for a fool, while wise conduct is a pleasure to the wise.
English NRSV 1989 - Only for website
Doing wrong is like sport to a fool, but wise conduct is pleasure to a person of understanding.
English Passion Translation Bible 2020
The fool finds fun in planning to do wrong, but the wise delight in having discernment.
English RSV (Revised Standard Version)
It is like sport to a fool to do wrong, but wise conduct is pleasure to a man of understanding.
English TL (The Living Bible) (1971)
A fool's fun is being bad; a wise man's fun is being wise!
English Tyndale 1537
A fool doth wickedly and maketh but a sport of it: nevertheless it is wisdom for a man to beware of such.