Parallel Verses

Bible in Basic English

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

New American Standard Bible

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

King James Version

It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.

Holman Bible

As shameful conduct is pleasure for a fool,
so wisdom is for a man of understanding.

International Standard Version

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

A Conservative Version

It is as sport to a fool to do mischief, and [so is] wisdom to a man of understanding.

American Standard Version

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

Amplified


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.

Darby Translation

It is as sport to a foolish man to do wickedness; but a man of understanding hath wisdom.

Julia Smith Translation

As laughter to the foolish one, to do mischief: and wisdom is to the man of understanding.

King James 2000

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

Lexham Expanded Bible

[It is] like a sport for a fool to do wrong, wisdom for a person of understanding.

Modern King James verseion

To work out evil devices is as laughter to a fool; so wisdom is to a man of understanding.

Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale

A fool doth wickedly and maketh but a sport of it; nevertheless it is wisdom for a man to beware of such.

NET Bible

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

New Heart English Bible

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

The Emphasized Bible

It is, mere sport to a stupid man, to commit lewdness, but, wisdom, pertaineth to a man of understanding.

Webster

It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.

World English Bible

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

Youngs Literal Translation

To execute inventions is as play to a fool, And wisdom to a man of understanding.

Interlinear

English(KJV)
Strong's
Root Form
Definition
Usage
It is as sport
שׂחק שׂחוק 
S@chowq 
Usage: 15

to a fool
כּסיל 
K@ciyl 
Usage: 70

to do

Usage: 0

but a man
אישׁ 
'iysh 
Usage: 692

תּובנה תּבוּנה תּבוּןo 
Tabuwn 
Usage: 42

Context Readings

Proverbs Concerning The Mouth

22 The blessing of the Lord gives wealth: hard work makes it no greater. 23 It is sport to the foolish man to do evil, but the man of good sense takes delight in wisdom. 24 The thing feared by the evil-doer will come to him, but the upright man will get his desire.

Cross References

Proverbs 15:21

Foolish behaviour is joy to the unwise; but a man of good sense makes his way straight.

Proverbs 2:14

Who take pleasure in wrongdoing, and have joy in the evil designs of the sinner;

Proverbs 14:9

In the tents of those hating authority there is error, but in the house of the upright man there is grace.

Proverbs 26:18-19

As one who is off his head sends about flaming sticks and arrows of death,

Ecclesiastes 11:9

Have joy, O young man, while you are young; and let your heart be glad in the days of your strength, and go in the ways of your heart, and in the desire of your eyes; but be certain that for all these things God will be your judge.

King James Version Public Domain

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.

International Standard Version Copyright © 1996-2008 by the ISV Foundation.

New American Standard Bible Copyright ©1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org

American Standard Version Public Domain

NET Bible copyright © 1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. NetBible

Basic English, produced by Mr C. K. Ogden of the Orthological Institute - public domain