diff --git a/utils/compile_bible.py b/utils/compile_bible.py
index e0524ea..03abfab 100644
--- a/utils/compile_bible.py
+++ b/utils/compile_bible.py
@@ -461,7 +461,9 @@ def render_inline(nodes, book, chapter, out):
         elif kind == "verse":
             label = esc(node["label"])
             out.append('<span class="v" id="%s" role="button" tabindex="0" '
-                       'aria-label="Verse %s, options">%s</span> '
+                       # A non-breaking space keeps the number on the same
+                       # line as the word it introduces, as the source does.
+                       'aria-label="Verse %s, options">%s</span>&#160;'
                        % (verse_id(chapter, node["label"]), label, label))
         elif kind == "noteref":
             n = node["id"].replace("FN", "")