The ambiguity of the Dao is just the Dao being the Dao. You can not explain something which has no duality with direct words so to try to translate the meaning of “Dao” will always need puns and metaphors.

Writings at point to the Dow are meant to get you to stop thinking, not to think for. They’re supposed to get you to contemplate life.

But I agree, the language and cultural barriers to understanding Daoist writings as an English speaking American makes it more of a challenge.

Derek Lin has done a translation which might be helpful.

https://terebess.hu/english/tao/DerekLin.html

And there is also a literal translation

https://www.amazon.com/Tao-Ching-Translation-Introduction-Co...