In verses 23-25 the usual order of positive followed by negative is reversed. Here the negative, that is, “the fool” or “the wicked,” occurs in the first line.

“It is like sport to a fool to do wrong”: “Sport” renders a word probably meaning “laughter.” The word translated “do wrong” means to carry out an evil act or plan. The Hebrew word is used in connection with serious crimes such as incest, adultery, and idolatry in Lev 18.17; Job 31.11, and Jer 13.27. Revised English Bible translates it “lewdness,” which means obscene or lustful conduct: “Lewdness is entertainment for the stupid.” Bible en français courant has “The practice of evil is like a game to the fool.” We may also say, for example, “Doing evil is fun to the fool” or “A fool enjoys doing evil.”

“But wise conduct is pleasure to a man of understanding”: This line contrasts wisdom with foolishness. The Hebrew text says literally “But wisdom to the man of understanding.” Revised Standard Version has represented “sport” in the second line by supplying “pleasure”. This gives the sense that sensible persons take pleasure in wisdom just as fools do in wrongdoing. Good News Translation is a good model translation.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .