Proverbs 19:6

Many people entreat the favor ¹  of a generous person, ²  and everyone is the friend ³  of the person who gives gifts. ⁴ 

Many curry favour with a ruler, and everyone is the friend of a man who gives gifts.

Many will seek the favor of a generous man, And every man is a friend to him who gives gifts.

Many beg favors from a prince; everyone is the friend of a person who gives gifts!

Lots of people flock around a generous person; everyone's a friend to the philanthropist.

Great numbers will make attempts to get the approval of a ruler: and every man is the special friend of him who has something to give.

Many seek the favor of the generous, and everyone is a friend to a giver of gifts.

Many entreat the favor of the nobility, And every man is a friend to one who gives gifts.

Many people entreat the favor ¹  of a generous person, ²  and everyone is the friend ³  of the person who gives gifts. ⁴ 

¹ tn The verb יְחַלּוּ (yÿkhalu) is a Piel imperfect of חָלָה (khalah) meaning “to seek favor; to entreat favor; to mollify; to appease”; cf. NIV “curry favor.” It literally means “making the face of someone sweet or pleasant,” as in stroking the face. To “entreat the favor” of someone is to induce him to show favor; the action aims at receiving gifts, benefits, or any other kind of success.

sn The Hebrew verb translated “entreat the favor” is often used to express prayer when God is the one whose favor is being sought; here it is the prince who can grant requests.

² tn Heb “the face of a generous man”; ASV “the liberal man.” The term “face” is a synecdoche of part (= face) for the whole (= person).

³ sn The proverb acknowledges the fact of life; but it also reminds people of the value of gifts in life, especially in business or in politics.

⁴ tn Heb “a man of gifts.” This could be (1) attributive genitive: a man characterized by giving gifts or (2) objective genitive: a man who gives gifts (IBHS 146 §9.5.2b).