Job Chapter 17
Job pictures the grave as his only remaining home while clinging to a shred of righteous resolve.
Job 17 continues the despair of Job 16, with Job describing his spirit as broken and his days as extinct, surrounded by mockers who make him 'a byword of the people.' He says he has made his bed in the darkness of the grave itself.
My spirit hath been destroyed, My days extinguished -- graves `are' for me.
If not -- mockeries `are' with me. And in their provocations mine eye lodgeth.
Place, I pray Thee, my pledge with Thee; Who is he that striketh hand with me?
For their heart Thou hast hidden From understanding, Therefore Thou dost not exalt them.
For a portion he sheweth friendship, And the eyes of his sons are consumed.
And he set me up for a proverb of the peoples, And a wonder before them I am.
And dim from sorrow is mine eye, And my members as a shadow all of them.
Astonished are the upright at this, And the innocent against the profane Stirreth himself up.
And the righteous layeth hold `on' his way, And the clean of hands addeth strength, And -- dumb are they all.
Return, and come in, I pray you, And I find not among you a wise man.
My days have passed by, My devices have been broken off, The possessions of my heart!
Night for day they appoint, Light `is' near because of darkness.
If I wait -- Sheol `is' my house, In darkness I have spread out my couch.
To corruption I have called: -- `Thou `art' my father.' `My mother' and `my sister' -- to the worm.
And where `is' now my hope? Yea, my hope, who doth behold it?
`To' the parts of Sheol ye go down, If together on the dust we may rest.