Tao Bible - Jeremiah 16:9

For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will cause to cease out of this place in your eyes, and in your days, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride.
~ King James version ~

He who takes upon himself the humiliation of the people is fit to rule them.
He who takes upon himself the country's disasters deserves to be king of the universe.
The truth often sounds paradoxical.
~ from Verse 78 of the Tao Te Ching ~

As with what we've read so far in the Book of Jeremiah, God continues to sound like a sorehead! Since the people aren't comporting themselves as God prefers, he decrees that he will remove any modicum of happiness from their lives.

Contrast this with Lao Tzu's depiction of the supreme ruler, Tao.

If you're interested in reading more from this experimental series, go to the Tao Bible Index page.