Good News Translation
If he had not believed that the dead would be raised, it would have been foolish and useless to pray for them.

New Revised Standard Version
For if he were not expecting that those who had fallen would rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead.

Contemporary English Version
Otherwise, it would have been useless and foolish of him to have spent this money on prayers for the dead.

New American Bible
for if he were not expecting the fallen to rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead.

Douay-Rheims Bible
(For if he had not hoped that they that were slain should rise again, it would have seemed superfluous and vain to pray for the dead,)

(For if he had not hoped that they that were slain should rise again, it would have seemed superfluous and vain to pray for the dead,)

2 Maccabees 12:42
And so betaking themselves to prayers, they besought him, that the sin which had been committed might be forgotten. But the most valiant Judas exhorted the people to keep themselves from sin, forasmuch as they saw before their eyes what had happened, because of the sins of those that were slain.

2 Maccabees 12:43
And making a gathering, he sent twelve thousand drachms of silver to Jerusalem for sacrifice to be offered for the sins of the dead, thinking well and religiously concerning the resurrection.

2 Maccabees 12:45
And because he considered that they who had fallen asleep with godliness, had great grace laid up for them.

2 Maccabees 12:46
It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins.