Then he sent an angel to destroy Jerusalem, but he changed his mind and said to the angel, "Stop! That's enough!" The angel was standing by the threshing place of Araunah, a Jebusite.

David saw the angel standing in midair, holding his sword in his hand, ready to destroy Jerusalem. Then David and the leaders of the people---all of whom were wearing sackcloth---bowed low, with their faces touching the ground.

When the LORD's angel was about to destroy Jerusalem, the LORD changed his mind about punishing the people and said to the angel who was killing them, "Stop! That's enough!" The angel was by the threshing place of Araunah, a Jebusite.

Praise the LORD, you strong and mighty angels, who obey his commands, who listen to what he says.

What are the angels, then? They are spirits who serve God and are sent by him to help those who are to receive salvation.

Three years of famine? Or three months of running away from the armies of your enemies? Or three days during which the LORD attacks you with his sword and sends an epidemic on your land, using his angel to bring death throughout Israel? What answer shall I give the LORD?"

There at the threshing place Araunah and his four sons were threshing wheat, and when they saw the angel, the sons ran and hid.

You cry out, 'Sword of the LORD! How long will you go on slashing? Go back to your scabbard, stay there and rest!'

" 'Put up the sword! I will judge you in the place where you were created, in the land where you were born.

"Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him. "All who take the sword will die by the sword.

Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword back in its place! Do you think that I will not drink the cup of suffering which my Father has given me?"