diff --git a/make_scripture.py b/make_scripture.py
index fa36fc3..1502b28 100755
--- a/make_scripture.py
+++ b/make_scripture.py
@@ -54,7 +54,6 @@ def render_latex(json_data):
     latex_lines = []
 
     chapter_number = json_data['chapter']['number']
-    first_verse_written = False
 
     def render_verse_content(parts):
         result = []
@@ -75,7 +74,14 @@ def render_latex(json_data):
                     result.append(escape_latex(part['text']))
         return ' '.join(result)
 
+    last_seen_verse = 0 # to start; TODO: does this include extra e.g. headers sometimes?
     for element in content:
+        if element['type'] == 'verse':
+            last_seen_verse = element['number']
+        if chapter_number == start_chapter and last_seen_verse < start_verse:
+            continue
+        if chapter_number == end_chapter and last_seen_verse >= end_verse:
+            break
         etype = element['type']
         if etype == 'heading':
             heading_text = ' '.join(element['content'])
@@ -88,10 +94,9 @@ def render_latex(json_data):
             verse_number = element['number']
             verse_body = render_verse_content(element['content'])
 
-            if not first_verse_written:
+            if verse_number == 1:
                 # First verse: show chapter number
                 latex_lines.append(rf"\ch{{{chapter_number}}}{verse_body}")
-                first_verse_written = True
             else:
                 latex_lines.append(rf"\vs{{{verse_number}}}{verse_body}")
         elif etype == 'hebrew_subtitle':