2 Maccabees 12:43-45

Wycliffe Bible

⁴³ And when (a) collection was made, he sent twelve thousand drachmas of silver to Jerusalem, to be offered (as) a sacrifice for (the) sins of (the) dead men, and bethought well and religiously of (the) again-rising (or of the resurrection), [or well and religiously bethinking of (the) again-rising];

⁴⁴ for if he hoped not, that they that fell should rise again, it was seen (as) superfluous and vain for to pray for (the) dead men;

⁴⁵ and for he beheld, that they that took sleeping, or death, with piety, had best grace kept. Therefore holy and healthful thinking (it) is, for to pray for dead men, that they be released of (or from) (their) sins.