What does Job Chapter 17 say, and which statements belong to its speaker?

Confronting his failing strength, Job observed that his spirit would be wasted, his days shortened, and the grave alone remained before him. He affirmed that he had not committed the transgressions alleged against him, while his eyes lingered in bitterness; a Challoner annotation clarifies that Job asserted his innocence regarding the sins his companions charged against his character. Job pleaded with the Lord to deliver him and set him beside Himself, saying to let any man’s hand fight against him. He noted that God had withheld understanding from the hearts of his companions, saying therefore they would not be exalted, and warned that one who promises a prey to his companions will witness the failing eyes of his children.

Job lamented that he had been reduced to a public proverb and an object of open scorn before the people, his eyes clouded by sorrow and his physical limbs wasted to nothing. He observed that the righteous would be astonished at his severe trial, and that the innocent would rise in opposition against the hypocrite. At the same time, Job declared that the truly just person will hold fast to his path, and whoever has clean hands will grow increasingly stronger. He challenged his visitors to turn around, approach him, and come, though he noted that he could not discover a single wise person among them.

In Job’s speech, facing the collapse of his earthly existence, Job declared that his days had vanished and his plans were broken, leaving his heart in torment. He said they had turned night into day, and that after darkness he hoped for light again. If he was to wait, the realm of the dead would be his dwelling, where he had already spread his bed in darkness; a Challoner annotation explains that the term hell here refers to Sheol, the region of the dead. Job declared to physical decay that it was his father, and addressed the worms as his mother and sister. Asking what expectation remained for him and who would consider his patient endurance, he concluded that all he possessed would descend into the deepest pit, wondering whether he would find rest there; an editorial annotation notes that the deepest pit refers literally to hell, the region of the dead.