Verse 15: Managers of old

古之善為士者，
The best managers of ancient times,
微妙玄通，
Subtle, miraculous, mysterious, effective,
深不可識。
Deep beyond knowing.
夫唯不可識，
Since we cannot know,
故強為之容。
we attempt to describe.
豫兮若冬涉川；
Prepared as when crossing a river in winter;
猶兮若畏四鄰；
Hesitant as when fearing the four surroundings;
儼兮其若容；
Dignified as when one's guest
渙兮若冰之將釋；
Flexible as when ice starts to melt;
敦兮其若樸；
Innocent as an uncarved block of wood;
曠兮其若谷；
Receptive as a valley;
混兮其若濁；
Chaotic as mud;
澹兮其若海；
Tranquil as the ocean;
飂兮若無止。
Drifting with the wind endlessly
孰能濁以靜之徐清。
Who can purify the turmoil by remaining still?
孰能安以動之徐生。
Who can give birth to peace by activity?
保此道者不欲盈。
Those who keep to the way do not desired to be filled.
夫唯不盈故能蔽而新成。
Those who are not filled can shield, and yet seem always rejuvenated.

Comments
"Dignified as one's guest" probably means treating every human encounter as if one is a guest and accords all due respect while fulfilling his/her purpose
"Chaotic as mud" may be clearer when we recall that mud is a collection of sediment of varying sizes. This therefore refers to the sages dealing in almost all sorts of matters, with all sorts of knowledge. Their actions and methods are murky, but their minds are clear.