The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead. An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered. When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting. By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace. A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.
I can never pass over any passage respecting suretyship, without thinking of Jesus. Oh! thou Almighty Surety of thy redeemed! thou didst smart for it indeed; or as the phrase in this verse might have been rendered, shall be sore broken; for thou wast bruised, and broken, and put to grief, Isaiah 53:4-5 whereas, hadst thou refused to have stood forth for thy people, or as this verse renders it, hadst thou hated suretyship, thou hadst been sure. For resting in thine own eternal, uninterrupted glory with the Father: nothing could have arisen to have broken in upon thy felicity. Oh! matchless love! Oh! peerless grace! Teach me, dearest Jesus, to love thee, who hath so loved us!