NET Bible
"The fifth time that Sanballat sent his assistant to me in this way, he had an open letter in his hand."
— Nehemiah 6:5, NET Bible
“Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand;”
“Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand, ”
“Then Sanballat sent his servant to me the same way the fifth time with an open letter in his hand,”
“And Sanaballat sent his servant to me the fifth time according to the former word, and he had a letter in his hand written in this manner:”
“Then Sanballat sent his servant to me a fifth time with an open letter in his hand;”
“Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand;”
Sanballat and Geshem sent word to me saying,“Come on! Let’s set up a time to meet together at Kephirim in the plain of Ono.” Now they intended to do me harm.
So I sent messengers to them saying,“I am engaged in an important work, and I am unable to come down. Why should the work come to a halt when I leave it to come down to you?”
They contacted me four times in this way, and I responded the same way each time.
The fifth time that Sanballat sent his assistant to me in this way, he had an open letter in his hand.
Written in it were the following words:“Among the nations it is rumored(and Geshem has substantiated this) that you and the Jews have intentions of revolting, and for this reason you are building the wall. Furthermore, according to these rumors you are going to become their king.
You have also established prophets to announce in Jerusalem on your behalf,‘We have a king in Judah!’ Now the king is going to hear about these rumors. So come on! Let’s talk about this.”
I sent word back to him,“We are not engaged in these activities you are describing. All of this is a figment of your imagination.”