13:15

The New Revised Standard Version has been used as the source line for 13:15b, since it follows the recommended text and interpretation. Notice the parallel parts that contrast in meaning:

15a
Good understanding wins favor,

15b but the way of the faithless is their ruin.

13:15a

Good understanding: In Hebrew, this phrase refers to the good sense, practical insight, or wise conduct that results from carefully evaluating a situation. A person who has understanding (Hebrew śekel) is able to understand the different aspects of a problem and to think of a helpful solution.

Good understanding is described here as if it were a person who wins favor with other people. In some languages, it may not be natural to use personification in this way. Another way to translate this is:

A person with good sense (New Living Translation (2004))

wins favor: This phrase indicates that other people have a positive or favorable opinion about someone who shows good judgment. Other ways to translate this are:

is respected (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
will be well liked (New Century Version)

13:15b

(New Revised Standard Version) but the way of the faithless is their ruin: There are differences in text and interpretation here:

(1) The LXX, Syriac, Vulgate, and Targum have “their ruin/calamity.” For example:

a treacherous person is headed for destruction (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
but the way of the treacherous is their ruin (English Standard Version)

(2) The Masoretic Text (MT) has a word that usually means “enduring/permanent,” with a positive connotation. Here the meaning of this word is uncertain. Most English versions that follow the MT translate this word as “hard.” For example:

but the way of the treacherous is hard (New Jerusalem Bible)

It is recommended that you follow option (1), along with most scholars. As it stands, the Masoretic Text does not form a good parallel with 13:15a. Furthermore, there are no other examples in the OT where this word means “enduring” in the sense of an unchanging character trait.

the way of the faithless: For the word faithless, see the note on 11:3b. The phrase describes someone who acts treacherously or breaks an agreement. Some other ways to translate this word are:

the unfaithful (New International Version (2011))
-or-
those who can’t be trusted (Good News Translation)

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