2304、许多人可能以为在来世，小孩子一直是小孩子，类似天使当中的小孩子。他们对天使一无所知，于是就根据在教堂和别处常看到的的形像而确认这种观点，因为这些形像把天使描绘成小孩子。然而，实际情况却大相径庭。构成天使的，乃是聪明和智慧；只要小孩子没有这些东西，他们虽与天使同在，本身却不是天使。直等到变得聪明、智慧，他们才第一次成为天使。事实上，令我惊讶的是，那时他们看上去就像成人，而不是孩子，因为他们不再具有小孩子的性情，而是具有更成熟的天使性情。这是聪明和智慧产生的效果，因为谁都能清楚看出，正是理解力和判断力，以及基于它们的生活使得一个人在他自己和其他人看来如同一个成年人。
我不仅从天使那里获知事实的确如此，还与一个死于孩提时期，现在却看似一个成人的人交谈过。这人还与其死于成年时期的兄弟交谈，并出于如此深厚的手足之情说话，以致他的兄弟忍不住流下眼泪，说他只感觉这是爱本身在说话。更不用说其它例子了。
Potts(1905-1910) 2304
2304. Many may suppose that in the other life the little children remain such, and are as little children among the angels. They who do not know what an angel is, may have been confirmed in this opinion by the images that are common in churches and elsewhere, where angels are represented as little children. Very different however is the actual truth. It is intelligence and wisdom that make an angel, and so long as the little children have not these they are indeed with the angels, but are not angels. But when they have become intelligent and wise, then for the first time do they become angels; and it is a wonderful fact that they then do not appear as little children, but as adults; for they are then no longer of an infantile genius, but of a more adult angelic one. Intelligence and wisdom are attended with this result, for it is understanding and judgment, and a life according thereto, that cause everyone to appear to himself and to others as an adult; as everyone can see. [2] I have not only been informed by the angels that such is the case, but I have also spoken with a certain one who had died when an infant, and yet then appeared as an adult. The same also spoke with his brother who had died in adult age, and this from so much mutual brotherly love that his brother could not refrain from tears, saying that he perceived no otherwise than that it was love itself that was speaking. Besides other examples not necessary to mention.
Elliott(1983-1999) 2304
2304. Many may suppose that young children stay as young children in the next life, and are as young children among the angels. Those who do not know what an angel is may have become confirmed in that notion by the images seen here and there in places of worship, and in other places where young children are portrayed to represent angels. But in fact it is not at all as they suppose. What makes an angel is intelligence and wisdom, and as long as young children do not possess these, though they do indeed reside with angels, they themselves are not angels. But as soon as they have become intelligent and wise, they now become angels for the first time. Indeed what has amazed me, they no longer appear as young children but as adults, for their disposition is no longer that of a young child but of a more adult angelic disposition. Such is the effect produced by intelligence and wisdom, for it may be clear to anyone that it is understanding and judgement, and the life from these, which cause a person to seem to himself and to others to be an adult. I have not only been told by angels that this is so but also have spoken to a certain person who had died as a small child and yet after that appeared as an adult. The same also spoke to his brother who had died when an adult; and he did so out of so much mutual brotherly love that his brother who could not help weeping declared that he perceived nothing else than that this was love itself which was speaking. There are other examples besides this which there is no need to mention.
Latin(1748-1756) 2304
2304. Multi autumare possunt quod infantes maneant infantes in altera vita et quod sint sicut infantes inter angelos; qui in ignorantia sunt quid angelus, in opinione illa potuerint confirmari a simulacris hic et ibi in templis, ac alibi, ubi infantes ut angeli {1} exhibentur; sed res se prorsus aliter habet; intelligentia et sapientia facit angelum, quam quamdiu infantes nondum habent, sunt quidem apud angelos sed non sunt angeli; cum vero intelligentes et sapientes facti sunt, tunc primum fiunt angeli; immo quod miratus, tunc non {2} apparent sicut infantes sed sicut adulti, nam tunc non amplius infantili genio sunt, sed angelico adultiore; intelligentia et sapientia hoc secum habet, nam quod intellectus et judicium et inde vita faciant ut quisque appareat sibi et aliis sicut adultus, cuivis constare potest. Quod ita sit, non solum ab angelis informatus sum, sed etiam cum quodam locutus qui infans mortuus (o)est, et dein usque ut adultus apparuit; idem quoque locutus est' cum fratre suo qui in adulta aetate decessit, et hoc {3} ex tanto amore fraterno mutuo ut frater nequaquam potuisset resistere quin lacrimaret, dicens quod non aliud perceperit quam quod ipse amor esset qui loqueretur; praeter alia exempla quae memorare non opus. @1 HH 340 alters to angeli ut infantes.$ @2 i amplius.$ @3 i cum.$