Sirach 13:21-23

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

²¹ When the rich person totters, he is supported by friends,
    but when the humble^[a] falls, he is pushed away by friends.^(A)
22 If the rich person slips, many come to the rescue;
    he speaks unseemly words, but they justify him.
If the humble person slips, they even criticize him;
    he talks sense but is not given a hearing.^(B)
23 The rich person speaks, and all are silent;
    they extol to the clouds what he says.
The poor person speaks, and they say, “Who is this fellow?”
    And should he stumble, they push him down.