⁵The Apostle says: Whoever does not wish to work shall not eat. ^{2 Thes 3:10 6}and Let everyone remain in that trade and office in which he has been called. ^{1 Cor 7:24}

⁷And for their work they can receive whatever is necessary excepting money. ⁸And when it is necessary, they may seek alms like other poor people. ⁹And it is lawful for them to have the tools and instruments suitable for their trades.^a

¹⁰Let all the brothers always strive to exert themselves in doing good works, for it is written: “Always do something good that the devil may find you occupied.”^{b 11}And again: “Idleness is an enemy of the soul.”^{c 12}Servants of God, therefore, must always apply themselves to prayer or some good work.

¹³Wherever the brothers may be, either in hermitages or other places, let them be careful not to make any place their own or contend with anyone for it. ¹⁴Whoever comes to them, friend or foe, thief or robber, let him be received with kindness.

¹⁵Wherever the brothers may be and in whatever place they meet,^d they should respect spiritually and attentively one another, and honor one another without complaining. ^{1 Pt 4:9 16}Let them be careful not to appear outwardly as sad and gloomy hypocrites but show themselves joyful, cheerful and consistently gracious in the Lord. ^{Phil 4:4}

[Chapter VIII: Let the Brothers Not Receive Money]

¹The Lord teaches in the Gospel: Watch, beware of all malice and greed. ^{Lk 12:15 2}Guard yourselves against the anxieties of this world and the cares of this life. ^{Lk 21:34 Mt 13:22}

³Let none of the brothers, therefore, wherever he may be or go, carry, receive, or have received in any way coin or money, whether for clothing, books, or payment for some work—indeed, not for any reason, unless for an evident need of the sick brothers; because we should not think of coin or money having any greater usefulness than stones.

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⁵et apostolus: Qui nonvult operari non manducet; ⁶et: Unusquisque in ea arte et officio, in quo vocatus est, permaneat.

⁷Et pro labore possint recipere omnia necessaria praeter pecuniam. ⁸Et cum necesse fuerit, vadant pro eleemosynis sicut alii pauperes. ⁹Et liceat eis habere ferramenta et instrumenta suis artibus opportuna.

¹⁰Omnes fratres studeant bonis operibus insudare, quia scriptum est: Sempe facito aliquid boni, ut te diabolus inveniat, occupatum. ¹¹Et iterum: Otiositas inimica est animae. ¹²Ideo servi Dei semper orationi vel alicui bonae operationi insistere debent.

¹³Caveant sibi fratres, ubicumque fuerint, in eremis vel in aliis locis, quod nullum locum sibi approprient nec alicui defendant. ¹⁴Et quicumque ad eos venerit amicus vel adversarius, fur vel latro benigne recipiatur.

¹⁵Et ubicumque sunt fratres et in quocumque loco se invenerint, spiritualiter et diligenter debeant se revidere et honorare ad invicem sine murmuratione. ¹⁶Et caveant sibi, quod non se ostendant tristes extrinsecus et nubilosos hypocritas; sed ostendant se gaudentes in Domino et hilares et convenienter gratiosos.

[Caput VIII - Quod fratres non recipiant pecuniam]

¹Dominus praecipit in evangelio: Videte, cavete ab omni malitia et avaritia; ²et: Attendite vobis a sollicitudine huius saeculi et a curis huius vitae.

³Unde nullus fratrum, ubicumque sit et quocumque vadit, aliquo modo tollat nec recipiat nec recipi faciat pecuniam aut denarios neque occasione vestimentorum nec librorum nec pro pretio alicuius laboris, immo nulla occasione, nisi propter manifestam necessitatem infirmorum fratrum; quia non debemus maiorem utilitatem habere et reputare in pecunia et denariis quam in lapidibus.