Eight centuries ago, a young Italian merchant walked away from wealth and privilege to live the Gospel with radical simplicity. The Rule of Saint Francis — the final, approved version of 1223 — and the Testament, his last words written on his deathbed in 1226, together form the spiritual heart of the Franciscan movement. This modern-English edition renders Francis's words in clear, present-day language, faithful to the original's meaning and spirit. Here you will find a way of life built on poverty, humility, prayer, and love for all creation — a vision that has inspired millions across the centuries and speaks with fresh urgency today. Whether you are a longtime admirer of Francis or encountering him for the first time, these pages invite you into a simpler, more compassionate way of being. Part of The Sacred Wisdom Library.