“He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.”

It is dangerous to be responsible for anyone’s debt. If you do this, you better be prepared to not only lose your money but pay off the other person’s portion as well. This is dangerous by itself. How much more dangerous then is it to be indebted to or for someone you don't even know? You know nothing about their character and integrity.

A person that not only doesn't do this but works to avoid being surety for someone will never be in danger.

KJV Sidenote: The translators did a marvelous job of preserving a poetic device in this verse. The alliteration of word starting with the letter “s” is carried over from the repetitive sound “aw” in the original Hebrew! Not only were they faithful to exact meaning, they kept the beauty of the poetry.