[123] Bhikkhus, these four persons are found existing in the world. What four? Here, bhikkhus, some person, quite secluded from sensual pleasures (kāma), secluded from unwholesome states, enters and dwells in the first jhāna, which is accompanied by thought (vitakka) and examination (vicāra), with rapture (pīti) and pleasure born of seclusion. He relishes it, desires it, and finds satisfaction in it. Steadied in it, intent upon it, dwelling frequently in it, not having fallen away from it, when he dies he is reborn in companionship with the devas of Brahmā's company (brahmakāyikā). Bhikkhus, an eon (kappa) is the measure of the lifespan of the devas of Brahmā's company. There the worldling (puthujjana) remains for the full extent of his lifespan; and having exhausted the entire measure of the lifespan of those devas, he goes to hell, he goes to the animal realm, he goes to the realm of hungry ghosts. But a disciple of the Blessed One remains there for the full extent of his lifespan; and having exhausted the entire measure of the lifespan of those devas, he attains final Nibbāna in that very existence. This, bhikkhus, is the distinction, this is the disparity, this is the difference between the instructed noble disciple and the uninstructed worldling, that is, when there is destination and rebirth.
Furthermore, bhikkhus, here some person, with the subsiding of thought and examination, enters and dwells in the second jhāna, which has internal confidence and unification of mind (citta), is without thought and without examination, with rapture and pleasure born of concentration (samādhi). He relishes it, desires it, and finds satisfaction in it. Steadied in it, intent upon it, dwelling frequently in it, not having fallen away from it, when he dies he is reborn in companionship with the devas of Streaming Radiance (ābhassarā). Bhikkhus, two eons is the measure of the lifespan of the devas of Streaming Radiance. There the worldling remains for the full extent of his lifespan; and having exhausted the entire measure of the lifespan of those devas, he goes to hell, he goes to the animal realm, he goes to the realm of hungry ghosts. But a disciple of the Blessed One remains there for the full extent of his lifespan; and having exhausted the entire measure of the lifespan of those devas, he attains final Nibbāna in that very existence. This, bhikkhus, is the distinction, this is the disparity, this is the difference between the instructed noble disciple and the uninstructed worldling, that is, when there is destination and rebirth.
Furthermore, bhikkhus, here some person, with the fading away of rapture, dwells equanimous, and with mindfulness (sati) and clearly comprehending, he experiences pleasure with the body; he enters and dwells in the third jhāna, of which the noble ones declare: "He is equanimous, mindful, one who dwells in pleasure." He relishes it, desires it, and finds satisfaction in it. Steadied in it, intent upon it, dwelling frequently in it, not having fallen away from it, when he dies he is reborn in companionship with the devas of Refulgent Glory (subhakiṇhā). Bhikkhus, four eons is the measure of the lifespan of the devas of Refulgent Glory. There the worldling remains for the full extent of his lifespan; and having exhausted the entire measure of the lifespan of those devas, he goes to hell, he goes to the animal realm, he goes to the realm of hungry ghosts. But a disciple of the Blessed One remains there for the full extent of his lifespan; and having exhausted the entire measure of the lifespan of those devas, he attains final Nibbāna in that very existence. This, bhikkhus, is the distinction, this is the disparity, this is the difference between the instructed noble disciple and the uninstructed worldling, that is, when there is destination and rebirth.
Furthermore, bhikkhus, here some person, with the abandoning of pleasure and the abandoning of pain, and with the previous passing away of joy and grief, enters and dwells in the fourth jhāna, which is neither painful nor pleasant and has purity of mindfulness through equanimity (upekkhā). He relishes it, desires it, and finds satisfaction in it. Steadied in it, intent upon it, dwelling frequently in it, not having fallen away from it, when he dies he is reborn in companionship with the devas of Great Fruit (vehapphalā). Bhikkhus, five hundred eons is the measure of the lifespan of the devas of Great Fruit. There the worldling remains for the full extent of his lifespan; and having exhausted the entire measure of the lifespan of those devas, he goes to hell, he goes to the animal realm, he goes to the realm of hungry ghosts. But a disciple of the Blessed One remains there for the full extent of his lifespan; and having exhausted the entire measure of the lifespan of those devas, he attains final Nibbāna in that very existence. This, bhikkhus, is the distinction, this is the disparity, this is the difference between the instructed noble disciple and the uninstructed worldling, that is, when there is destination and rebirth.
These, bhikkhus, are the four persons found existing in the world.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.