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Sorry, meant to add that it seems to me that the NLT changes the meaning.

Jesus is referring to Hosea 6:6.

“For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.”

Jesus is saying in Matthew, “*I* will have mercy, and not sacrifice.”

But the NLT changes it I want *you* to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.

That seems to be significant and illustrated what the other versions all have in common against the KJV, they denigrate the position and God-head of Christ.

Pardon me, I just read your explanation. I disagree with your interpretation, which is apparently because you are working backwards from today's use of the verb "will"; however the scholars considered the use of the verb at the time the KJV was written, and translated forward.

Re the KJV original, consider this sentence I am writing as an example of the usage: A mother sees her kids playing ball inside and says, "I will not have this nonsense in my house!" That is the sense in which Jesus is saying "I will have mercy..." He is not merely stating what will happen in the indeterminate future by indeterminate persons, he is issuing a command to his followers. In this way the New Living translation makes the meaning clear who is to do what, and that they will do it because he said to do it. It will not occur by accident and he is not just foretelling its occurance in a crystal ball.

they denigrate the position and God-head of Christ.

Col 2:9 in the NASB ...

For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form

Clearest affirmation of the deity of Christ in ANY translation ...

Let's stop the nonsense of a systematic attack on the deity of Christ with the modern translations.

KJV is an excellent translation because it is a LITERAL translation ...

If you want the best possible ... translate it yourself from the Greek.