[If] he found scrolls, he may read them once in thirty days; if he does not know how to read, he should roll them. However, he should not study in them for the first time, nor should another read with him.  [If] he found a garment, he should shake it out once in thirty days, and spread it out for its benefit, but not for his honor.  [As for] silverware and cop-perware —- he should use them for their benefit, but not to wear them out.  [As for] gold utensils and glassware —- he may not touch them until Elijah comes.  [If] he found a sack or a basket, or anything he is not accustomed to taking, he need not take [it].

What is [considered] a lost article? [If] he finds a donkey or a cow grazing by the road —- this is not [considered] a lost article; a donkey with its gear overturned, [or] a cow running among the vineyards —- this is [considered] a lost article.  [If] he returned it and it ran away, returned it [again] and it ran away —- even four or five times —- he is obligated to return it, as it is said (Deuteronomy 22:1): “You shall surely return them.”  [If] he refrained from [earning] a sela, he shall not say to him: “Give me a sela”; rather, he pays him his wage like an idle worker. If there is a court, he may stipulate before the court; if there is no court, before whom shall he stipulate? His own takes precedence.