ため (or 為（ため） in its kanji form) is a noun in Japanese that can be translated quite closely to 'sake' in English. However, it is classified as a
non-independent word in Japanese, and must always be connected to another word which illustrates the 'sake' that
ため is highlighting. The
case marking particle に will often be added after
ため, to show that (A) is a goal that something will done to reach.
Due to this,
ために can be translated as 'for the sake of (A)', or 'in order to (A)'.
To use
ために, attach it to the end of verb in its non-past form, or a noun follow by の.
新（あたら）しい家（いえ）を建（た）てるために、土地（とち）を買（か）った。
In order to build a house, I bought land.
勉強（べんきょう）をするために、親（おや）に机（つくえ）を買（か）ってもらった。
In order to study, I got my parents to buy me a desk.
私（わたし）のためにやって。
Please do this for me.
君（きみ）のために買（か）ってあげたのに、誰（だれ）かにあげちゃったの？
I bought this for you, but you gave it to someone?
Despite mainly being used to highlight goals, or things dictating an action,
ため is also sometimes used to highlight events that have already taken place, and their results. Due to this, a more accurate translation of
ため (in all of its uses) is 'in light of (A)'. This simply highlights that (A) is the primary or major event/thing that resulted in (B), or will result in (B).
2年（ねん）前（まえ）、車（くるま）を買（か）うために、親（おや）からお金（かね）を借（か）りました。
In order to buy a car two years ago, I borrowed money from my parents.
骨折（こっせつ）したため、明日（あした）からしばらく仕事（しごと）を休（やす）みます。
Since I broke a bone, I am going to take some time off of work starting tomorrow.
When
ため highlights past events, it is often translated simply as 'due to', or 'because of'.