You can ask: En español, ¿cuál es la diferencia entre "por" y "para"?.
Well, the difference is that "por" precedes the cause of something, and "para" precedes the effect. It's the difference between cause and effect. So, you can translate "por" for "because of", and "para" for "for".
For exmaple: I brought a car to reach earlier at work. Me compré un coche para llegar antes al trabajo.
O, con "por": Why do you feel ill?. Because of the meal I ate. ¿Por qué te sientes mal?. Por la comida que comí.
But "Por" is also used whit other meanings. For example, through: I see through the window. Veo por la ventana. ( Or: Veo a través de la ventana).