The new edition, which was printed in its original Greek, was published on Wednesday by researchers from Tyndale House, a bible research institute in Cambridge University.

Dr Dirk Jongkind, vice-principal of the institute, explained to The Times the motive behind the new publication.

He said: “There are errors that have been copied and transcribed [over the centuries].

“The advantage of knowing the whole transmission history is that you can see when certain errors were introduced and how they became almost universally accepted.”

The new version took ten years to produce and the researchers have said it could pave the way for more accurate English translations.

The New Testament was originally written in an early form of Greek in the first century but was translated into Latin.

A new edition was published in the original Greek by Dutch Renaissance humanist Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus, in 1516, which relied on early texts.

Dr Jongkind explained errors in earlier versions of the New Testament occurred for a number of reasons including when scribes included elements from Matthew’s gospel while transcribing Mark’s because they wrote from memory.

He said: Previous editors have allowed themselves considerable liberty in standardising spelling, making paragraph divisions, deciding punctuation and other matters.

“This may hide significant data about the origin and even interpretation of the Greek New Testament.”

President Robert Mugabe has been placed under house arrested by the military, marking the likely end of his decades-long rule.

Most Rev Chad Gandiya said: “We are concerned that whatever changes are in store for us, these take place in a peaceful manner.”

Mr Mugabe is reportedly being kept with his wife and a number of advisors, while the military has maintained a presence on the streets of Harare.

Bishop Chad said: “The situation is still unfolding and so people can speculate… but I think the reality is that the army is definitely in control.”

South African ministers arrived in the Zimbabwean capital on Thursday for talks involving military figures and Mr Mugabe who, at 93 years old, is the world’s oldest head of state.

Describing the mood in the city, Bishop Chad said: “People are going about their normal duties but obviously people are a little bit sensitive to the situation but we thank God that there is calmness.”

Meanwhile, bribe-seeking police officers have vanished from roadblocks in Harare and trade unions have urged people to go to work as usual.

Mr Mugabe has been urged to resign peacefully by more than 100 civil society groups, who also called for the constitution to be respected.

Click here to listen to Bishop Chad Gandiya speaking with Premier’s John Pantry and Rosie Wright:

Two men, known as TJ and Matt, said they believe Jack Phillips’ faith should not infringe on his artistic freedom.

In a video posted by ADF International, which is supporting Masterpiece Cake shop in court, they said: “Hi, I’m TJ, and I’m Matt, we’re gay and we’re here to support Jack Phillips…to buy stuff from him, and support him because we don’t think any artist should be forced to create for something that violates their beliefs.”

Phillips, who is from Lakewood in Colorado, opened a case at the US Supreme Court earlier this year over the issue.

He was told in 2014 by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission that it was illegal to refuse the work and that he should re-educate his staff.

Two years earlier, he had declined an order, claiming his faith meant he could not design a cake promoting same-sex marriage.

ADF International has said the government cannot make Phillips create art that expresses a message he does not agree with.

The Robert Piggott Church of England school in Wargrave, Berkshire, said “national changes to school funding” meant they had to request voluntary donations to make up the shortfall.

The school, which according to the most recent figures has 311 pupils, is in the Maidenhead constituency which has been represented by Mrs May since 1997.

The letter read: “One of the elements of (the funding plan) was to ask parents and the community to consider making donations to help meet the predicted shortfall in funding.

“Therefore, like many other schools, we are now requesting voluntary contributions from parents.”

These include glue, pens, pencils, exercise books, paper, tape and reading books.

It continued: “Following discussion with the PTA (parent teacher association) and based on feedback at the May meeting, we would like to suggest that parents donate £1 per school day for each child to help the schools through this funding crisis.

“This equates to £190 per year.”

The letter, signed by chair of governors Caroline Meader, also includes a voluntary donation form if parents wish to donate through Gift Aid.

Shadow education secretary Angela Rayner told the Daily Mirror: “The Government can spin all they like but the reality is that Tory cuts are hitting schools badly, even in the PM’s own constituency.

“Heads are so desperate they are begging parents for the cash they need to keep teaching kids.

“Theresa May was elected to represent -Maidenhead on a manifesto that…