Page 148 - Built For God Handbook (Annotated and Explained Edition) - The Christian Edition of the Tao Te Ching - The New Evangelization - Pope John Paul II

82

Chapter 41
Mysterious Nature of God

When the wise hear the Word of God
They obey faithfully
a
When ordinary people hear the Word of God
They believe for a while but sometimes doubt it
When foolish people hear the Word of God
b
They laugh out loud
If foolish people did not laugh
It would not be the Word of God

Thus, as it was written in ancient times:
c
The bright path appears dark
The advancement of God appears to retreat
d
The straight path appears crooked
e
The highest virtue appears empty f
g
The utmost purity appears tainted
The promised Word appears hopeless
h
The greatest virtue appears weak i
The divine truth appears untrue j
k
The perfect square appears shapeless
The finest talent appears unproductive l
m
The voice of God appears silent

n
The nameless God has no form
Invisible, hidden in our hearts
He alone nourishes and brings everything to completion