Verbatim Translation:
appam pi ce sahitam bhásamáno dhammassa hoti anudhammacári
even / little / if / scriptures / recites / of-truth / being / lives-accordingrágañ ca dosañ ca paháya moham sammappajáno suvimuttacitto
passion / and / ill-will / and / abandon / delusion / understanding-rightly / well-freed-mindanupádiyáno idha vá huram vá sa bhágavá sámaññassa hoti
not-grasping / here / either / other-world / either / does / partake / religious-life / being
Translations:
Beck
Even if the faithful can recite only a few of the scriptures, if they act accordingly, having given up passion, hate, and folly, being possessed of true knowledge and serenity of mind, craving nothing in this world or the next, they are living the holy life.
Buddharakkhita
Little though he recites the sacred texts, but puts the Teaching into practice, forsaking lust, hatred, and delusion, with true wisdom and emancipated mind, clinging to nothing of this or any other world — he indeed partakes of the blessings of a holy life.
Davids
Though he say little that is proper, yet if he by dharma walk, of passion, hate and dulness rid, rightly intelligent, his mind well freed, not frasping after either earth or yonder, partaker is that man in holy life.
Kaviratna
A man, though he recites only a little of the Canon, but acts according to the precepts of the Sacred Law, who, having got rid of lust, hatred and delusion, has firmly established himself in liberated thought, and clinging to no worldly possessions here or hereafter — such a one becomes indeed a sharer of the true fruit of the monastic life.
Muller
The follower of the law, even if he can recite only a small portion (of the law), but, having forsaken passion and hatred and foolishness, possesses true knowledge and serenity of mind, he, caring for nothing in this world or that to come, has indeed a share in the priesthood.
Narada
Though little he recites the Sacred Texts, but acts in accordance with the teaching, forsaking lust, hatred and ignorance, truly knowing, with mind well freed, clinging to naught here and hereafter, he shares the fruits of the Holy life.
Richards
Even if he does not quote appropriate texts much, if he follows the principles of the Teaching by getting rid of greed, hatred and delusion, deep of insight and with a mind free from attachment, not clinging to anything in this world or the next – that man is a partner in the Holy Life.
Sarada
Though few the sacred texts he chants in Dhamma does practice run, clear of delusion, lust and hate, wisdom perfected, with heart well-freed.
Tin
Though he recites only a little of the Sacred Texts (Tipitaka), but practises according to the Dhamma, eradicating passion, ill will and ignorance, clearly comprehending the Dhamma, with his mind freed from moral defilements and no longer clinging to this world or to the next, he shares the benefits of the life of a bhikkhu (i.e., Magga-phala).
