Joe: Alright, so what's going on in Jeremiah 13?

Expert: Well, God commands Jeremiah to buy a linen belt, put it around his waist, and not take it off, so that it will be a sign of God's judgment against the people for their sin.

Joe: Wow! That's wild. Is there any reason why the belt was made of linen?

Expert: Yes, in the ancient world, linen was a symbol of purity and holiness, so it's likely that God chose it because of its symbolism.

Joe: Interesting. What else happens in the chapter?

Expert: God also commands Jeremiah to go to the river Euphrates and hide the belt there, so that it will be a sign of God's judgment against the people.

Joe: Wow, that's really something. What happens after that?

Expert: Well, God then warns the people that if they don't turn away from their wickedness, then their fate will be like the belt - something that's lost and never seen again.

Joe: Alright, so basically, God is using this belt as a sign to the people to turn away from their evil ways.

Expert: That's right. And if they don't, then they'll suffer the consequences.