[149] Bhikkhus, these eight persons (puggala) are worthy of gifts (āhuneyya), worthy of hospitality (pāhuneyya), worthy of offerings (dakkhiṇeyya), worthy of reverential salutation (añjalikaraṇīya), the incomparable field of merit for the world (anuttaraṃ puññakkhettaṃ lokassa). What eight? The Stream-Enterer (sotāpanna) and the one practicing for the realization of the fruition of stream-entry (sotāpattiphala); the Once-Returner (sakadāgāmī) and the one practicing for the realization of the fruition of once-returning (sakadāgāmiphala); the Non-Returner (anāgāmī) and the one practicing for the realization of the fruition of non-returning (anāgāmiphala); the Arahant (arahā) and the one practicing for arahantship (arahatta). These, bhikkhus, are the eight persons worthy of gifts … the incomparable field of merit for the world.
The four who are practicing and the four established in fruition —
this is the Saṅgha, become upright, possessed of wisdom, virtue, and concentration.
For human beings offering sacrifice, for living beings seeking merit,
making merit that ripens in acquisitions (opadhika), what is given to the Saṅgha is of great fruit.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.