Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.
Good understanding giveth favour - both with God and man.
But the way of transgressors (is) hard - rugged; literally, rough, as soil unfit for cultivation (Deuteronomy 21:4). The way of transgressors is one which yields no fruit of favour from God or good men to them; nor will it yield the precious fruit of eternal life at last, which "good understanding" (i:e., doctrinal experimental, and practical knowledge of the truth) shall yield.