Think its time to give up on this baby

Sadly, I think one is beyond hope.  Lower branches just keep dying but the trunk is super healthy with the scrape test.  And last words?   

You could wire it around into a nice literati shape. Depending on the species it should be outside. I would wire the shape into liberation style.e and put it in a much larger pot for the trunk to thicken up.

The juniper should be outdoors. It won't survive indoors.