[693] "What do you think of that, Dhanañjāni? One who, for the sake of the deities (devatā), would conduct himself contrary to the Dhamma and conduct himself unrighteously, or one who, for the sake of the deities, would conduct himself in accordance with the Dhamma and conduct himself righteously — which is better?"
"Worthy Sāriputta, one who, for the sake of the deities, would conduct himself contrary to the Dhamma and conduct himself unrighteously — that is not better; but one who, for the sake of the deities, would conduct himself in accordance with the Dhamma and conduct himself righteously — that alone is better in this case. For, worthy Sāriputta, conduct in accordance with the Dhamma and righteous conduct are better than conduct contrary to the Dhamma and unrighteous conduct."
"Dhanañjāni, there are other kinds of work, possessed of a basis (sahetukā) and in accordance with the Dhamma, by which one is able both to do what ought to be done for the deities, and yet not to do evil deeds, and to practice the way of merit."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.