Job 17 (summary): Job struggles with despair

Job starts chapter 17 saying that his spirit is broken and that the grave awaits him. Job says that he has become a byword for everyone as they spit in his face! Despite such despairing feelings Job says "the righteous will hold to their ways, and those with clean hands will grow stronger." However then he switches back to despair criticizing the lack of wisdom of his friends and says his "plans are shattered." Job returns to desire death saying his only hope is the grave and says his father is corruption and his mother or sister is the worm. He ends the chapter expressing his feeling of utter hopelessness asking, "Who can see any hope for me?"