Whoever has no respect
for their spiritual companions
falls away from the true teaching,
like a fish in a little puddle.
Whoever has no respect
for their spiritual companions
doesn’t thrive in the true teaching,
like a rotten seed in a field.
Whoever has no respect
for their spiritual companions
is far from extinguishment,
in the teaching of the Dhamma king.
Whoever does have respect
for their spiritual companions
doesn’t fall away from the true teaching,
like a fish in plenty of water.
Whoever does have respect
for their spiritual companions
thrives in the true teaching,
like a fine seed in a field.
Whoever does have respect
for their spiritual companions
is close to extinguishment
in the teaching of the Dhamma king.