Albert Barnes Commentary Jeremiah 13:10

"This evil people, that refuse to hear my words, that walk in the stubbornness of their heart, and are gone after other gods to serve them, and to worship them, shall even be as this girdle, which is profitable for nothing." — Jeremiah 13:10 (ASV)

This verse limits the application of the symbol. Only the ungodly and the idolatrous part of the people decayed at Babylon. The religious portion was strengthened and invigorated by the exile (Jeremiah 24:5–7).