Verses 6-7 are contrasting sayings about the rich and poor.

“Many seek the favor of a generous man” is literally “Many beg the face of a noble.” “Beg the face” may be taken as in Revised Standard Version or as “praise” or “flatter.” “A generous man” translates a Hebrew word translated by Revised Standard Version in 17.7 as “prince” and in 17.26 as “noble man.” The reference here may be to a person or persons of high social rank. See Good News Translation “important people.” However, the Revised Standard Version translation makes a good parallel with “a man who gives gifts” in the second line.

“And everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts”: This line echoes the first. “A friend” is the same as used in verse 4. “Is a friend” is again a way of saying “wants to be the friend of,” “tries to become the friend of,” or “wants to associate with.” “A man who gives gifts” (New Revised Standard Version “a giver of gifts”) is parallel to “a generous man” in the previous line, and its sense is well expressed in this context by Good News Translation “those who give out favors.” Contemporary English Version says “everyone tries to be friends with those who can help them.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .