Caravaggio, Saint Jerome Writing (c. 1605), Galleria Borghese. Public domain.
33 verses in the King James Version. Word study for “should” →
Why did the knees prevent me? or why the breasts that I should suck?
For now should I have lain still and been quiet, I should have slept: then had I been at rest,
Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would harden myself in sorrow: let him not spare; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.
What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life?
To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.
I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?
For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment.
I should have been as though I had not been; I should have been carried from the womb to the grave.
Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified?
Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?
O that ye would altogether hold your peace! and it should be your wisdom.
Is it good that he should search you out? or as one man mocketh another, do ye so mock him?
Should a wise man utter vain knowledge, and fill his belly with the east wind?
Should he reason with unprofitable talk? or with speeches wherewith he can do no good?
What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?
But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief .
But ye should say, Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the matter is found in me?
As for me, is my complaint to man? and if it were so , why should not my spirit be troubled?
What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?
There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.
God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me.
I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?
This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above.
I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.
Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man.
Should I lie against my right? my wound is incurable without transgression.
For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.
Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.
For he will not lay upon man more than right; that he should enter into judgment with God.
Should it be according to thy mind? he will recompense it, whether thou refuse, or whether thou choose; and not I: therefore speak what thou knowest.
Even so would he have removed thee out of the strait into a broad place, where there is no straitness; and that which should be set on thy table should be full of fatness.
Who hath prevented me, that I should repay him? whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine.
