10:23
This proverb contrasts the different things that give pleasure to “a fool” and “a man of understanding.”
23a
The fool delights in shameful conduct,
23b but a man of understanding has wisdom.
10:23a
The fool:
delights in shameful conduct: In Hebrew, the phrase delights in is literally “like laughter.” This is a simile that compares evil conduct to laughter. The similarity is that a fool enjoys doing wrong as much as he enjoys laughing at something that causes him amusement. He gets equal entertainment or pleasure from both.
Some other ways to translate this comparison are:
• Keep the simile. For example:
Like the laughter of a fool when he carries out an evil plan (God’s Word)
-or-
Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool (English Standard Version)
• Translate the meaning without a figure of speech. For example:
A foolish person enjoys doing wrong (New Century Version)
-or-
Doing wrong is fun for a fool (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Crime is the entertainment of the fool (New American Bible)
10:23b
but a man of understanding has wisdom: In Hebrew, this line is more literally “but wisdom to a man of understanding.” The Berean Standard Bible has supplied the verb has.
a man of understanding: This phrase refers to someone who is competent and has good sense. A person like this knows how to take appropriate action.
understanding: The Hebrew word tǝbunah, which the Berean Standard Bible usually translates as understanding, means “good sense” or “competence” to handle the situations that a person faces in life. It is different from the word binah, which the Berean Standard Bible also usually translates as “understanding.” The word binah refers more to the ability to interpret and comprehend ideas. The word tǝbunah refers to the ability to take appropriate action.
Compare with the Glossary entry for understanding (insight).
has wisdom: The word wisdom is parallel to “evil conduct,” so it implies wise actions or a wise lifestyle. Some other ways to translate this line are:
but anyone with good sense enjoys acting wisely (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
but living wisely brings pleasure to the sensible (New Living Translation (2004))
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