1.聞如是：一時，佛在舍衛國祇樹給孤獨園。
Thus have I heard:
One time, the Budha was staying at Anaathapindidas Ashrama in Jetavana of Shraavastii.
2. 爾時，世尊告諸比丘：「若有眾生知反復者，此人可敬，小恩尚不忘，何況大恩！設使離此間千由旬、百千由旬，故不為遠，猶近我不異。所以然者，比丘當知，我恒歎譽知返復者。諸有眾生不知反復者，大恩尚不憶，何況小者！彼非近我，我不近彼，正使著僧伽梨在吾左右，此人猶遠。所以然者，我恒不說無反復者。是故，諸比丘！當念反復，莫學無反復。如是，諸比丘！當作是學。」
At that time, Budha said to the bhikshus, “If there are beings who know gratitude, such people are worthy of respect. They do not forget even small kindnesses, let alone great ones. Even if such a person were a thousand yojanas or a hundred thousand yojanas away from here, they would still be close to me, no different from being by my side. Why is this?
Bhikshus, you should know that I always praise and honour those who know gratitude. As for beings who do not know gratitude, they do not remember even great kindnesses, let alone small ones. They are not close to me, and I am not close to them. Even if such a person were to wear the monastic robe and stand by my side, they would still be far from me. Why is this? I never praise those who are ungrateful. Therefore, bhikshus, you should always remember gratitude and not be like those who are ungrateful. Thus, bhikshus, you should train yourselves.”
3. 爾時，諸比丘聞佛所說，歡喜奉行。
When the bhikshus heard what the Budha said, they followed it with joy.