2macc 12:44
King James Version
“For if he had not hoped that they that were slain should have risen again, it had been superfluous and vain to pray for the dead.”
Context
41All men therefore praising the Lord, the righteous Judge, who had opened the things that were hid,
42Betook themselves unto prayer, and besought him that the sin committed might wholly be put out of remembrance. Besides, that noble Judas exhorted the people to keep themselves from sin, forsomuch as they saw before their eyes the things that came to pass for the sins of those that were slain.
43And when he had made a gathering throughout the company to the sum of two thousand drachms of silver, he sent it to Jerusalem to offer a sin offering, doing therein very well and honestly, in that he was mindful of the resurrection:
44For if he had not hoped that they that were slain should have risen again, it had been superfluous and vain to pray for the dead.
45And also in that he perceived that there was great favour laid up for those that died godly, it was an holy and good thought. Whereupon he made a reconciliation for the dead, that they might be delivered from sin.