Recluses and Brahmins (1)

THUS have I heard.
On a certain occasion the Exalted One was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta Grove, the Anāthapiṇḍika Park.
Then the Exalted One addressed the brethren, saying:
"Brethren."
"Yes, lord," replied those brethren to the Exalted One.
The Exalted One said:
"There are these four elements, brethren.
Which are the four?
Earth-element,
water-element,
heat-element,
air-element.
Verily, any recluses or brahmins whatever
who do not understand,
even as it really is,
the satisfaction,
the misery,
the escape
with regard to these four elements,
they for me
are not approved of among recluses as recluses
nor among brahmins as brahmins,
nor have those venerable ones
come even in this life
fully to know of themselves,
to realize,
to live
in the attainment of,
the good of
being recluse or brahmin.
But any recluses or brahmins whatever
who do understand,
even as it really is,
the satisfaction,
the misery,
the escape
with regard to these four elements,
they for me
are approved of among recluses as recluses
or among brahmins as brahmins,
and those venerable ones have come
even in this life
fully to know of themselves,
to realize,
to live
in the attainment of,
the good of
being recluse or brahmin.