But if he was looking to the splendid reward that is laid up for those who fall asleep in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought: Judas believed in the resurrection. He wanted his fallen soldiers to enjoy the wonderful reward that is received by godly people who die, so praying for them was a holy and pious thing to do. Fall asleep refers to death. The splendid reward that is laid up for those who fall asleep in godliness may be rendered “the wonderful reward that God’s faithful people who have died will receive.” It was a holy and pious thought refers to Judas’ prayer.

Therefore he made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin: Judas’ belief in the resurrection is also the reason he offered a sacrifice to remove the sin of his dead fellow soldiers.

An alternative model for this verse is:

• But it was a holy, devout thing to do, because he believed that those who die without sin have a splendid reward waiting for them. He wanted these men to be free of sin, and that is why he had the sacrifice offered [or, he offered the sacrifice] to rid them of that sin.

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on 1-2 Maccabees. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.