[256] At Sāvatthī. In the park. "Bhikkhus, this round of rebirths (saṃsāra) is without discoverable beginning (anamatagga). A first point is not discerned of beings hindered by ignorance (avijjā) and fettered by craving (taṇhā), running on and wandering in the round. There comes a time, bhikkhus, when the great ocean dries up, evaporates, and exists no more; but still, bhikkhus, I do not declare that there is a making an end of suffering (dukkha) for beings hindered by ignorance and fettered by craving, running on and wandering in the round. There comes a time, bhikkhus, when Sineru, the king of mountains, burns up, is destroyed, and exists no more; but still, bhikkhus, I do not declare that there is a making an end of suffering for beings hindered by ignorance and fettered by craving, running on and wandering in the round. There comes a time, bhikkhus, when the great earth burns up, is destroyed, and exists no more; but still, bhikkhus, I do not declare that there is a making an end of suffering for beings hindered by ignorance and fettered by craving, running on and wandering in the round."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.