Passage
Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.
Hosea 14:9 (KJV)
Nearby Context
Hosea 14:7 They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon.
Hosea 14:8 Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found.
Hosea 14:9 Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.
Study Lenses
The verse centers on "wise", "shall", "understand", "things", "prudent", "ways", and "lord". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "wise" and "shall", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.
The prior verse says "Ephraim shall say What have I to...", giving immediate footing for "wise" and "shall". In Hosea context, the local focus is covenant, worship, and faithfulness.
A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "wise" and "shall" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.